Gov. Kristi Noem‘s (R-SD) visit to the southern border Friday afternoon comes amid an escalating battle between Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and the federal government, as well as growing speculation of Noem as a top vice presidential pick for former President Donald Trump.

Noem, who branded the border a “warzone,” conducted a boat tour with the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“Every time that I come to the southern border, it is clear that the situation has deteriorated more and more. Texas has carved out a small zone of security in the middle of this warzone,” Noem reiterated on Friday in a statement first shared with the Washington Examiner. “Now, the Biden Administration is undermining them. Not only is Joe Biden failing to secure the border — he is actively trying to stop Governor Abbott and Texas from the work that they are doing to secure the border. South Dakota stands with them, and we will continue to do everything we can to help secure the border.”

At least 25 Republican governors are backing Abbott’s showdown against President Joe Biden over the growing immigration problem at the southern border.

Abbott challenged a Supreme Court ruling giving control over 2 1/2 miles of border adjacent Texas city land to the Biden administration. He argued in an open letter to the White House on Wednesday that Texas has a “constitutional right to self-defense.”

Noem was among the 25 governors who issued a joint statement Thursday supporting Abbott’s use of state resources to protect the border.

“We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border,” the governors wrote.

Noem reiterated her call for defending the border during her Friday trip. “If we lose this country, where will we go? What other nation in the world is better or freer? We must do all that we can to defend the United States of America so that we can keep it safe for our kids and our grandkids.”

The South Dakota governor has long supported protecting the border and was the first governor to send National Guard soldiers to the border three years ago. Last summer she again sent National Guard soldiers to Texas.

Noem’s border visit will draw more attention to what role she might play in a possible second Trump administration. Several contenders are jockeying to become Trump’s running mate including Noem who told Fox News in August that “of course” she would consider the position.

“If President Trump is going to be back in the White House, I’d do all I can to help him be successful,” she added. The next month, Noem endorsed Trump for president long before he had mostly vanquished his primary competitors.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The South Dakota governor appeared on the campaign stump for Trump leading up to the Iowa caucuses. Other running mate candidates including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Vivek Ramaswamy stumped for Trump ahead of Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.

Immigration is now the top issue facing the nation, according to a recent Harvard/Harris poll. Immigration at 35% places even above price increases and inflation at 32%, the poll found. Another 64% said that the immigration crisis at the border is worsening, and 68% said the administration should make it tougher to enter the U.S. illegally.

Anna Giaritelli contributed to this story.