'Try high school again': Nikki Haley trolled as she walks back remarks on Texas' right to secede from US

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley walked back on her previous remarks that states can secede from the United States, reported ABC News.

The former South Carolina governor made the controversial remarks during a conversation with Charlamagne Tha God's on his 'Breakfast Club' show in late January when she proposed Texas has the right to secede from the Union if the whole state wants.

However, on Sunday, February 4, Haley walked back on her claim when pressed by CNN's Dana Bash.

"No. According to the Constitution, they can't. What I do think they have the right to do is have the power to protect themselves," the former UN ambassador stated.

Nikki Haley defends Texas' demand to secede

Haley tried to justify why Texas stepped up on its demand to leave America and become an independent state.

"Texas has talked about seceding for a long time. The Constitution doesn't allow for that. But what I will say is, where's that coming from? That's coming from the fact that people don't think that government is listening to them," she claimed.

Her remarks came in light of the standoff between the southern state and the Biden administration when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of President Joe Biden to remove razor wires installed by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott at a migrant crossing point.

The state continues to be at the forefront of the immigration crisis, with the number of illegal immigrants crossing the US-Mexico border reaching an all-time high.

In her controversial interview, Haley said, "If that whole state says, 'We don't want to be part of America anymore' — I mean, that's their decision to make. But I don't think government needs to tell people how to live, how to do anything. I mean, I think that we need to let freedom live."

Receiving widespread backlash, the White House hopeful also accused Biden's inability to solve the immigration crisis in Texas, forcing her to make the secession hypotheticals.

Haley is the only remaining GOP presidential primary opponent to frontrunner Donald Trump, who has cemented his post as the likely party nominee after the decisive victories in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.

The next showdown will be held in South Carolina on February 14, a primary that could effectively decide whether Haley should continue in the race.

Internet reacts to Nikki Haley's latest remarks

Netizens ridiculed the former UN Ambassador for flip-flopping on her remarks and suggested she should attend high school once again.

One user said, "My god, she needs to try high school again. It didn't stick."

Another user remarked, "Flips and flops like a fish on a dock."

"That's a lot of flip-flopping in the past month! Of course Texas is often threatening to do so and there's a secessionist movement in Alaska," a third user added.

A response read, "Nikki needs to pick a lane. Be American or be Maga." Another wrote, "Tell us when you get serious."

A sixth user mocked Haley with a Jack Sparrow meme, saying, "Nikki before every public appearance."

"This is what happens when you have multiple people telling you how to think," another remark read.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.