As Texas is dealing with another potential problem with its utility grid, Governor Gregg Abbott is putting his attention on a border wall. The governor revealed Tuesday he will be asking for donations to build the border wall that he has suddenly made a priority. He discussed the crowdfunding option during an interview on the “Ruthless” podcast, which is focused on Republican politics. Here’s exactly what he said:

“When I do make the announcement later on this week, I will also be providing a link that you can click on and go to for everybody in the United States — really everybody in the entire world — who wants to help Texas build the border wall, there will be a place on there where they can contribute.”

According to The Texas Tribune, Abbott says donations made would be put in a fund administered by the state in the governor’s office, and pledged transparency so those who donate would know where every penny is being spent.

That specific mention probably has a lot to do with the legal troubles surrounding the last group that tried to crowdfund the building of a border wall. Four people behind the “We Build The Wall” campaign, including former president Donald Trump’s ex-Chief of Staff Steve Bannon, were indicted and accused of ripping off donors of more than $25 million. The federal case against Bannon was abandoned after he received an 11th-hour pardon from then-president Trump before he left the White House, but the three other defendants

Abbott’s critics say the wall may not even stand up to legal scrutiny, even if the governor’s plans to solicit donations raises enough money, which is highly questionable. Estimates on what it costs to build a border wall run between $27-$46 million per mile. His opponents say Abbott’s sudden desire to build a wall is just political theater motivated by a 2022 reelection campaign that is fast approaching.

More than a few people made sure to point out to the governor that his focus should be on keeping the lights—or perhaps more importantly—the air conditioning on in Texas. The state’s utility system is under pressure from intense summer heat and customers are being asked to cut back on electricity usage. This comes just months after the catastrophic collapse of the grid left millions without heat during a devastating winter storm. That probably explains why the tone of some tweets directed at Abbott today were…not gentle.

https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/1404907318823817221

There’s also the matter of “where” Abbott’s wall will be built. Trump’s much-discussed wall would have sparked countless lawsuits from private landowners. If this wall is to be built on the same track, the governor can expect similar legal challenges.