(The Epoch Times)—The union representing U.S. Border Patrol agents has declared that its agents “appreciate and respect” Texas’ efforts to secure its border amid escalating tensions between the Lone Star State and the Biden Administration.
For weeks, the federal government and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have clashed after the National Guard took control of the 47-acre Shelby Park area in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Texas National Guard has been accused of denying board patrol agents access to the park, leading to multiple legal battles over access.
In a Jan. 26 post on X (formerly Twitter), the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), the labor union representing agents and support staff, said that Border Patrol agents have no issue with Texas’ efforts to secure its border. The NBPC added that if there are any reports suggesting otherwise, they are simply untrue.
“Rank-and-file Border Patrol agents appreciate and respect what TX has been doing to defend their state in the midst of this catastrophe that the Biden Admin has unleashed on America,” the NBPC said.
“We want to be perfectly clear, there is no fight between rank-and-file BP agents and the TX National Guard, Gov. Abott, or TX Department of Public Safety.”
Last week, the Supreme Court voted in favor of granting the federal government the power to remove barriers installed along stretches of the Texas border. However, Mr. Abbott has argued that nothing prevents him from ordering the National Guard to erect additional barriers and razor wire.
“President Biden has violated his oath to faithfully execute immigration laws enacted by Congress,” Mr. Abbott said in a statement.
“Instead of prosecuting immigrants for the federal crime of illegal entry, President Biden has sent his lawyers into federal courts to sue Texas for taking action to secure the border.”
Mr. Abbott’s stance has gained support from governors in 25 states across the country. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) has since called on President Biden to take control of the National Guard if Texas defies the Supreme Court ruling. The NBPC has cast doubt on whether its agents would assist the Biden Administration with any action because the “rank-and-file” in the Border Patrol and the National Guard have great “respect for each other.”
“Rank-and-file BP agents are not going to start arresting TX NG members for following their LAWFUL orders. That’s fake news,” the NBPC said.
“If TX NG members have LAWFUL orders, then they have to carry out those orders. TX NG members realize that rank-and-file BP agents have their orders as well.”
The NBPC also implied that its agents might consider ignoring orders that could be considered unlawful or from a less-than-reputable source.
“Lawful orders, no matter how unpopular or distasteful amongst rank-and-file agents, must be followed,” the NBPC said.
“Unlawful orders, as determined by competent legal counsel and not what some outhouse lawyer behind a keyboard says, will not be followed.”
Enforcing immigration law has traditionally fallen under the federal government’s purview. The Texas state government has cited its constitutional right to have the “sovereign authority to protect its borders because the President refuses to enforce federal immigration laws.” This stance comes as the state struggles to cope with a record-breaking number of illegal immigrants crossing into its territories.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.