A State of Treason

by David Thomas Roberts

  For anyone who has lived in Texas longer than ten minutes, naming a federal incursion into the state after Santa Anna was a horrific slap in the face to all Texans.

  For an administration that was the most skilled in shaping messages in the history of presidential politics, this was a public relations disaster. The administration had been advised that naming the operation after Santa Anna would gain sympathy from Texas Hispanics against the governor. This backfired. The only Hispanics that would favor any reference to Santa Anna would be illegal aliens from Mexico.

  By 7:00 p.m., crowds located at federal buildings and IRS offices across the state were substantial. Local TV affiliates were setting up makeshift outdoor TV screens so the crowds could see the president’s live statement.

  The crowds included Texans of all ages from all walks of life. A fifty-something-year-old woman, accompanied by her nineteen-year-old daughter, was interviewed live in San Antonio on the steps of the federal courthouse.

  “Tell us why you are here with your daughter,” said the television reporter.

  “We are here to support our governor. We want to protest the federal government’s actions. The president bombed our airport. Why does he hate Texas so much? We aren’t going to take this anymore,” she said.

  “If you were talking to the president right now, what would you say to him?”

  “Return Gov. Cooper and leave Texas alone!”

  * * *

  A member of the White House staff knocked on the door of the Oval Office, interrupting the meeting the president was having with his speechwriters and Avery Smith, handing Smith a folded note.

  Smith opened the note while all stopped their conversations.

  “What’s it say, Avery?” asked the president.

  “Texas Lt. Gov. Foster has just died from the wounds he sustained during the raid,” said a grim Smith.

  Chapter 24

  “But you must remember, my fellow citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.”

  ~ Andrew Jackson (Old Hickory)

  7th U.S. President & War Hero

  The television commentator remarked that the crowds out in the streets all over Texas were large and getting larger, eagerly anticipating the president’s statement. Mostly peaceful, the crowds were still boisterous and loud. ABC News reported that numerous “anti-Texas” rallies were being held in San Francisco, Detroit, Chicago and Washington, D.C. to support the president.

  In Texas, local and state police were told to monitor the crowds but not to engage or incite them. Pops Younger had issued communiques to all state law enforcement jurisdictions to stand down, although urban police chiefs indicated they were not under any particular inclination to follow orders from the famous Texas Ranger.

  A 9:02 p.m., the broadcast from the Oval Office began. There still had been no indication of the whereabouts of the Texas governor.

  Dressed in a black suit, white shirt and red tie, President Johnson stared at the camera with his teleprompters at the ready on both sides of the camera.

  “My fellow Americans, as you know, tensions have existed between the state government leaders of Texas and the federal government for some time now. Federal arrest warrants were issued for certain individuals who were responsible for the deaths of eighteen federal agents in Austin several months ago.

  “These state officials thumbed their noses at federal law, refusing to turn themselves in and engaging in the illegal retaliatory arrests of federal law enforcement officials based in Texas. These officials were also responsible for ordering the confiscation of federal property such as military bases that are owned by all Americans.

  “Secy. of State Bartlett, as well as congressional leaders, have tried unsuccessfully to broker a settlement of the tensions that exist between this state and Washington, D.C. to no avail.

  “Despite attempts to get the Texas governor and others in his administration to turn themselves in, Gov. Cooper refused to cooperate.

  “Because of this and because of the escalation of incidents such as the tragedy in Texarkana, my administration and congressional leaders made the decision to lead an operation into Texas to arrest those responsible and to exercise federal warrants issued legally by federal judges.

  “We identified that most of these officials were in hiding at a private ranch of one of the governor’s chief political donors. Under the direction of the Justice Department and in cooperation with DHS, the FBI, the ATF and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a unit of federal agents led the execution of the warrants in central Texas very early this morning.”

  The president paused, and took a deep breath. Looking seriously into the cameras, he continued. “When federal agents arrived at the compound, they were fired upon by members of the governor’s staff and security forces in place at the ranch, resulting in the deaths of three federal agents. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these brave men, who were simply doing their jobs.”

  Taking another deep breath, the president looked out of place, even nervous, for his next statement.

  “Unfortunately, Texas Gov. Brent Cooper decided to engage the federal agents who were legally serving a federal arrest warrant. In the exchange of gunfire, the governor shot and killed one of the agents. In the ensuing exchange with our agents, I am sad to report that the governor was killed, along with his wife.”

  The president shuffled the papers on his desk, although it was clear he wasn’t using them for notes.

  “This is a very sad and unfortunate event. But make no mistake; it is a tragedy brought on by the governor himself. Also, Lt. Gov. Gene Foster was wounded and was brought in for medical treatment but has since passed away at a hospital. Texas Atty. Gen. Jeff Weaver was arrested and is unhurt, and he will be arraigned by a federal judge tomorrow morning.

  “Among the fatalities were sixteen brave federal agents and pilots shot down in unarmed Blackhawk helicopters by jet fighters under control of the Texas Militia. In defending themselves against Texas fighters, U.S. Naval fighter jets were forced to engage, resulting in several civilian deaths in San Antonio and damage to several other airports.

  “I want to thank the Mexican government and the Mexican air force for attempting to assist the unarmed Blackhawks. Four Mexican fighter jets were also lost. Their pilots perished in defense of those helicopters, including a Mexican fighter downed by Texas fighters on sovereign Mexico soil.”

  Changing his demeanor from sorrow to indignation as quickly as a chameleon changes colors, the president continued. “Now it is time for the remaining leadership of the Texas state government who have outstanding federal warrants to surrender to federal authorities so Texas and Americans everywhere can begin the healing process. I call on all Texans to demand this from their leaders. The bloodshed over the last few months is directly attributable to Gov. Cooper and the state leadership of Texas, and the loss of life is directly attributable to their actions.

  “I have instructed Secy. Bartlett to arrange a summit with the state leadership of Texas to avoid further bloodshed.

  “I want the American people to know that the decision to launch this operation into Texas was not taken lightly. America is a land of laws and, whether it is a common criminal or a state official who flaunts our laws, it is my job as chief law enforcement officer to enforce those laws.

  “There is no one person, not one elected official, not one state government, that is above federal law. It is time to put this crisis and this tragedy behind us. For that I ask for your support, your prayers and your patience.

  “God Bless America.”

  Chapter 25

  “A standing army, however necessary it may be at some times, is always dangerous to the liberties of the people. Such power should be watched with a jealous eye.”

  ~ Samuel Adams (1722-1803)

  Founding Father

  American Revolution Patriot

  A deafening roar started like
a jet engine; it began as a slow guttural rumble and grew to a decibel level that shook buildings. The crowd reaction to the president’s speech started like a chain reaction in Houston, Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Amarillo, Lubbock and San Antonio. There were even sizable crowds in Corpus Christi, College Station, Nacogdoches and Texarkana.

  It took a few minutes for the word to spread through the masses of gathered Texans as not everyone had access to the hastily erected big screen televisions and news crews. But spread it did, like spontaneous combustion. Thousands upon thousands of Texans who were on the streets when the president’s Oval Office address started never heard a word from the president past “…the governor was killed, along with his wife.”

  To most, the federal government and this administration had just killed the most popular Texas governor in modern times. Even worse, his wife, the first lady of Texas who was loved by all, was also dead at the hands of the feds.

  The initial chaos started in Houston. Windows in the Mickey Leland Federal Building were shattered as over 25,000 protestors converged on the building. Within minutes, the building was ablaze. Protestors prevented the fire department from getting within four blocks of the building. Then the crowd marched to the federal courthouse and, within minutes, that structure was subjected to the same treatment.

  Without any organized coordination, a huge crowd in Austin descended on the large IRS processing center complex and began a methodical destruction, first on the ground floor windows, then setting the complex on fire.

  This same scene played out in every major Texas city. If a building had “federal” in its name, it was destroyed—Department of Agriculture, U.S. Attorney’s offices, even post offices.

  Clashes with local police departments who tried in vain to stop the crowds quickly died down as the urban police chiefs were forced to draw back several blocks and let the protestors do their thing.

  Reporting remotely and live from the scene in downtown Houston, reporter Sylvia Gomez stated, “The protestors have destroyed two buildings but, amazingly, they are not looting, and they are not destroying local businesses! All the focus and energy is on big government buildings! Anything that represents the federal government is a target.”

  On Fox News, a panel that had been assembled to analyze and debate the president’s speech were in shock.

  “Folks, look at these live shots! These aren’t hooligans! These aren’t thugs! These are everyday Texans who are mad as hell! This reaction was spontaneous. It was obvious local authorities weren’t prepared for this news and definitely not for this type of reaction!”

  One of the panel experts added, “Wow, this looks like the demonstrations in Cairo, Egypt, except there’s no fighting among the protesters. They are taking out their anger on symbols of the U.S. government!”

  At the White House the president, who was still in the midst of congratulatory pats on the back for his brilliant speech, was shuffled down to the White House situation room by Avery Smith.

  Without saying a word, the president’s face said it all. It was a “Holy crap, what the hell is going on?” look after he walked in and saw all the feeds coming in on multiple screens. What was a congratulatory mood on the president’s brilliant speech appeared to have ignited the crisis that was unfolding before his eyes, and the eyes of the world.

  Stunned, everyone in the rooms watched the screens without speaking for at least two minutes.

  “They’re destroying government property!” remarked a staffer.

  “Avery, did you anticipate this type of reaction?” asked a worried president in a low tone not meant for the entire room to hear.

  “Well, I sure didn’t plan for the fact that we would kill their governor and his wife in their damned bedroom, Mr. President,” replied Smith, in his typical sarcastic style.

  Smith quietly scanned several monitors. “Texas is enraged,” he said, stating the obvious to the shocked president.

  Chapter 26

  “The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”

  ~ Patrick Henry

  American Revolution Hero & Founding Father

  Ardent Supporter of States’ Rights (Federalism)

  At 10:00 p.m., news stations broadcast a message live from Austin at the Texas capitol. Flanked by scores of elected state representatives and senators, Texas lawman and legend Pops Younger stepped to the podium alongside Speaker of the House Brahman.

  Brahman took a step back to allow Younger to speak first.

  The steely blue-eyed Younger stepped up to the podium wearing a black leather western-style holster with an ivory handled .45-caliber revolver on his right hip. The Rangers’ famous five-pointed star badge encased in a circle was visible on his shirt. His iconic wide handlebar mustache made the outfit complete. If ever there was a throw-back to the 1800s in living color, it was Pops Younger, commander of the Texas Rangers.

  “Ladies and gentlemen of Texas, the United States government, and this administration in particular, has declared war on Texas,” said Younger in a direct and solemn tone.

  “My very good friends,” Younger paused to gather himself, “your Gov. Cooper and his wife Lyndsey were murdered by federal agents in the bedroom where the couple slept, unaware that they would soon be dispatched by federal agents. Lt. Gov. Foster was also murdered, dying from wounds suffered in the same attack. Maj. Gen. Rex Conroy was killed execution-style in his bedroom. Four Texas Rangers and a state trooper were killed. These were good family men, loyal to the governor and to the people of Texas.

  “It is a testament of the failure of Americans and this Congress to rein in and impeach a criminal president and to arrest his attorney general. The governor of Texas was killed—our governor. There will be consequences, I can guaran-damn tee you.”

  Nobody had ever seen Pops Younger emotional. He looked down at the floor for a long few seconds before raising his head to continue.

  “The feds hold Texas Atty. Gen. Jeff Weaver and the lieutenant governor’s wife. We demand their safe return and immediate access to them.”

  People in the small crowd gathered inside the capitol building began screaming for the return of Jeff Weaver and Mrs. Foster, hurling insults at President Johnson and his administration.

  “The federal government launched a military raid, with the aid of Mexico, into a sovereign state—our state. This administration chose to name this illegal raid Operation Santa Anna.”

  Again, the small crowd allowed into the press conference was yelling at anyone who would listen.

  Looking at a woman who had been yelling, Younger said, “Yes, ma’am, Santa Anna. That’s right. I guess it goes without saying that the tyrant we have now is not much different than the tyrant we threw off in 1836.”

  Younger looked back at the crowd and reporters, tilted his hat slightly and continued. “We are here tonight, along with all these folks behind me, to swear in Mr. Brahman as the next Texas governor. As Speaker of the House, he is next in line after the governor and lieutenant governor to be governor. Here in Texas, we follow our Constitution. The Texas Legislature chaplain, Hon. Rev. Scoffer, will swear the speaker in.”

  Rev. Scoffer moved to the podium where Speaker Brahman waited. “Do you swear to uphold and defend the Texas Constitution, so help you God?” asked Rev. Scoffer after Brahman held up his right hand, his left hand resting on a bible held by Younger.

  “I do, with the help of God,” answered Brahman.

  There was no clapping or celebrating from those in attendance. Newly sworn-in Gov. Brahman stepped to the podium.

  “Fellow Texans, we live in troubled times. We are literally under attack from our federal government. These latest actions against a sovereign state are unprecedented and uncalled for. I have called an emergency session of the Texas Legislature to begin tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. I am officially recalling all Texas elected officials who are in Washington, D.C. in any capacity. I hereby demand, on be
half of Texans, that any further military operations or actions by DHS, the FBI, NSA, CIA or ATF in Texas be halted immediately.”

  The crowd started clapping and raising a commotion. Gov. Brahman lifted his hands to quiet the crowd.

  “I call on the leadership from both parties, as well as the governors and state legislatures across America, to condemn this unlawful action by the Johnson administration.”

  Again, the new governor had to wait for the crowd noise to subside.

  “I have also notified the Mexican Consulate that a meeting needs to be held no later than tomorrow afternoon to explain their participation in this unlawful raid that resulted in the assassination of our governor, his lovely wife, the lieutenant governor, Maj. Gen. Conroy, state troopers and Texas Rangers. In the meantime, the Texas Rangers under Pops Younger have directed all border crossings, in conjunction with local sheriffs on the Mexican border, be officially closed until further notice.”

  The governor looked like he was about to adjourn, but the press corps shouted out questions frantically.

  “Sir, how can you close the Mexican border when that is the job of the Border Patrol?” asked a female reporter.

  “I’ll let Ranger Younger answer that for you.”

  Not expecting to speak again, Pops had already snuck a pinch of tobacco in his mouth. He strode purposely to the podium with an obvious dip of Copenhagen in his cheek. “The Border Patrol, under DHS, has been relieved of duty in Texas. For that matter, all federal law enforcement agencies in Texas are relieved of duty in Texas.”

  “What if they don’t cooperate?” she pressed.

  “Well, ma’am, they forfeited the right to operate in Texas when they killed our governor,” he replied.