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Elections

Donald Trump Keeps Texas Trip After Union Pulls Out

Gage Skidmore
/
The Texas Tribune

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is still coming to Texas on Thursday, his campaign said, even though a Border Patrol union here backed out of hosting him.

Local 2455 announced early Thursday it would "pull out of all events involving Donald Trump," citing discussions with its national organization. That announcement throws into question Trump's plan to tour the Mexico border.

"Just to be clear, an endorsement was never discussed for any presidential candidate," the union said, reiterating it does not endorse candidates. 

Trump, the bombastic billionaire whose candidacy has rattled the 2016 race, said Thursday on Fox News he had been invited to Laredo by "border patrols and they want to honor me."

Asked about the union's decision, a Trump spokeswoman said he was "still going." It was unclear how the the twist would affect Trump's original schedule, which had him flying into Laredo International Airport at 1 p.m. to hold a meet and greet with the union before heading to the border. 

Later Thursday morning on Twitter, Trump said he still planned to make it to Laredo on time.

"Getting ready to lift off for Laredo," Trump wrote. "Will land at 1:OO P.M. Should be exciting and informative!"

This story was provided by The Texas Tribune.

Patrick Svitek is a reporter for the Texas Tribune. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. He graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He originally is from Fort Wayne, Indiana.