Statewide, Abbott deployed 5,000 National Guard members and more than 2,000 Department of Public Safety troopers to help local police maintain law and order, his office said, as organizers of the No Kings Day of Defiance were planning up to 1,800 protests nationwide to oppose ICE operations and the Trump administration.
“Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump’s enforcement of immigration law,” the governor said.
Violent protests began in Los Angeles on June 6 after ICE worked with other federal agencies on an investigation that led to 44 arrests of illegal immigrants, many with prior criminal records. California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against Trump after the president sent National Guard members and Marines to Los Angeles to quell unrest.
Organizers of the No Kings protests—a coalition of various groups—say they are committed to nonviolence. Their website says, “On June 14, we rise up.” Their protests were planned before the Los Angeles riots; the goal was to oppose Trump’s large celebration in Washington of the Army’s 250th anniversary and Flag Day, which also is his 79th birthday.
The Texas governor warned that anyone behaving violently or vandalizing property will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“Don’t mess with Texas—and don’t mess with Texas law enforcement,” Abbott said.
The contingent of troopers will include special agents and Texas Rangers, the governor’s office said, adding that National Guard soldiers are being “strategically positioned to bolster state and local law enforcement response to any criminal activity.”
Conservative commentator Graham Allen, who joined Trump’s Defense Department in February, welcomed Abbott’s decision. He wrote in all capital letters on his personal social media account, “Rioting and looting will not be tolerated,” above a video showing National Guard members unloading equipment from a truck in Texas.
Reps. Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar, both Democrats, issued a joint statement opposing Abbott’s action and alleging that the governor “is trying to intimidate our community for rallying against President Trump’s authoritarian policies.”
The congressmen also accused Abbott of failing to alert local authorities prior to the mobilization order and “escalating tensions rather than promoting safety and calm.”
“Our community will not be intimidated, and we encourage everyone to gather peacefully against President Trump’s unlawful, undemocratic actions,” the representatives said.
