Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the deployment of Texas National Guard troops across the state as demonstrations grow in response to federal immigration raids. The move, announced late Tuesday, comes as tensions rise following President Donald Trump’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles without state consent, sparking legal action from California officials and igniting protests across the country, including in Texas.
Abbott framed the deployment as a precaution to maintain “peace and order,” emphasizing in a social media post that while peaceful protest is protected, any violence or property damage would be met with swift arrests, as reported by The Texas Tribune. Specific locations for the Guard’s presence were not disclosed, but a spokesperson for the governor confirmed that troops are on standby in areas with planned mass demonstrations. San Antonio officials have confirmed National Guard activity in their city, while other major hubs, including Austin, Houston, and Lubbock, prepare for rallies this weekend under the banner “No Kings,” signaling public resistance to what organizers call Trump’s “authoritarian” governance.
Local leaders have walked a careful line, voicing support for the right to protest while condemning any actions that could lead to violence. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez both underscored their belief in the power of peaceful protest but warned against destructive behavior that could escalate tensions or undermine the movement’s goals. With protests planned across more than two dozen Texas cities, the next few days will test not only the public’s right to dissent but also the state’s response under increasing federal and political pressure.
