Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced Thursday that he has authorized the deployment of over 5,000 National Guard troops and 2,000 state police officers to assist with protests planned this weekend.
According to the Associated Press, the protests are part of the “No Kings” movement in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations that have led to widespread protests that have resulted in looting and rioting in Los Angeles, California, and are now spreading to other parts of the U.S.
While it is unclear where exactly the troops are going to be sent, reports note they were seen at a Wednesday night protest held in San Antonio, and despite the protests drawing a large crowd, it remained peaceful.
Around a dozen individuals were arrested in Austin and Dallas when protestors clashed with law enforcement.
“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,” Abbott said. “Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has openly criticized Trump over the deployment of National Guard and Marine personnel in Los Angeles.
However, city officials in both San Antonio and Austin have stated they did not request Abbott to send National Guard troops to their areas.
Abbott, a Republican who has led Texas since 2014, has a track record of utilizing the Guard for enforcement, especially at the border.
Since 2021, Texas National Guard troops have played a central role in Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, a mission aimed at curbing border crossings. A February agreement with the Trump administration granted soldiers the power to arrest and detain individuals entering the U.S. illegally from Mexico.
Texas has also begun constructing a permanent base for National Guard operations — an 80-acre facility that will eventually house up to 1,800 troops.
