The Dallas Morning News editorial board used the occasion of Texas Independence Day to take a swipe at the TNM, the Texas First Pledge, and candidates who believe in the Texas Constitution. Daniel Miller, President of the Texas Nationalist Movement, responded with a takedown that exposed their blatant bias and hypocrisy.

You can read the article from the editorial board at this link. You can read Daniel Miller’s response below.

The Response

The Texas First Pledge was first covered by the Dallas Morning News two years ago (Almost 100 candidates from governor to constable pledged to support vote on Texas seceding from U.S.). In fact, the Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM), the authors of the pledge, have received coverage by the DMN on multiple occasions (Trump’s win not enough to quell Texit movement’s secessionist urges, Texas declares own brand of secession).

In those instances, the DMN didn’t think that the TNM or the Texas First Pledge was too fringe to warrant coverage. In fact, the article “Texan declares own brand of secession” by Christy Hoppe was often cited by others as “some of the fairest coverage we’ve seen by domestic media.” It is interesting to note that the DMN has removed that specific article from its website. What it failed to do is remove the internal links to the article or any of the republications by other media outlets.

It’s important to note that at no time does the editorial board actually quote the Texas First Pledge, which states:

I pledge to place the interests of Texas and Texans before any other nation, state, political entity, organization, or individual. I further pledge to uphold the right of Texans under Article 1 Section 2 of the Texas Constitution “to alter, reform or abolish their government.” If it is within the powers of my office, I will vote for legislation and resolutions to call for a vote on Texas reasserting its status as an independent nation in every term that I am elected until such a referendum is held. If a majority of the people of Texas vote in support of Texas reasserting its status as an independent nation, I pledge to work toward a fair and expedient separation of Texas from the federal government, placing the interests of Texans first.

This pledge is open to Texas candidates and elected officials from the statehouse to the schoolhouse. In it, they pledge to put Texans first, which is a trait that I’m sure we all want from our elected officials. They pledge to uphold Article 1 Section 2 of the Texas Constitution, something which they all take an oath to uphold when they take office, and far too few of them have actually read. They pledge to honor the groundswell of popular sentiment that the relationship between Texas and the federal government is fundamentally broken and, in accordance with Article 1 Section 2 of the Texas Constitution, let the people of Texas vote on the issue of staying or leaving the union. Finally, the pledge to honor the results of that vote.

To say that the editorial board’s position is inconsistent would be generous. A search on the Dallas Morning News website for the word “democracy” returns 4,984 articles. It seems that the board is only a fan of democracy when the aims of a democratic exercise fit their ideology or the outcomes align with their own skewed political vision.

Yet, when faced with a democratic process that challenges the status quo or dares to question the infallibility of an ever-centralizing federal government, the board recoils, labeling such patriotic exercises as “unpatriotic” or “extreme.” This stark contradiction exposes not just a bias but a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a Texan. Democracy, by its very nature, is about choice, about the sacred right of the people to decide their own destiny without being shackled by the chains of external approval or media endorsement.

The editorial board’s alarm over the financial implications of Texas independence similarly betrays a lack of faith not just in Texas’ robust economy but in the very spirit of Texan innovation and resilience. The Lone Star State is not merely a participant in the federal system out of financial necessity but has thrived and contributed significantly to the union’s prosperity. The suggestion that Texas could not navigate the complexities of independence is not only baseless but underestimates the talent, resourcefulness, and determination of Texans. Our state is home to one of the most dynamic economies in the world, a testament to our hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to freedom and self-determination.

It’s important to note that no one from the editorial board has contacted us to discuss this pledge, the TEXIT vote, the TEXIT process, or any other aspect of their claims. If they had, we could have educated them on these issues, and they could have avoided looking so ignorant and foolish.

Furthermore, the board’s critique of the Texas First Pledge as a harbinger of “extremism” ignores the rich history of Texas and the very essence of American democracy. The United States was founded on the principle of self-determination and the revolutionary idea that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. The Texas First Pledge is a reaffirmation of these foundational principles, a reminder that the authority of government is not unlimited but subject to the will of the people it serves.

In their haste to dismiss the movement for Texas independence, the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board neglects the core issues driving the support for such a cause: the desire for self-governance, the frustration with federal overreach, and the longing for a government that truly represents the values and interests of Texans. These are not fringe sentiments but deeply held beliefs shared by a significant portion of the Texas population, who deserve to have their voices heard and respected, not marginalized or mocked.

The Texas Nationalist Movement and its supporters are not enemies of democracy but its staunchest defenders. We believe in the power of the people to choose their own path to forge their destiny with the same courage and conviction that has defined the Texas spirit since our forebears fought for independence in 1836. The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board may not share our vision for the future of Texas, but to disparage the democratic process and the legitimate aspirations of Texans as “unpatriotic” is to betray the very principles upon which our great state was founded.

Their pearl-clutching screed is proof that the editorial board is out of touch with Texas and Texans. Whether it’s the concerns we have over the border, immigration, inflation, debt, political corruption, or any number of the 1,000 challenges we face, Texans want an opportunity to voice those concerns and exercise the right that nearly 200 countries around the world have exercised – the right of self-government.

Finally, I’m left with one question and one request. Are the establishment incumbents for whom you wrote this article required to report this as an in-kind contribution on their campaign finance reports? Can you please get with the other TEXIT detractors and agree on what we are? Are we “fringe” or are we a “threat”? We can’t be both.