In response to ongoing protests and federal immigration raids, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized a substantial force of more than 5,000 National Guard troops alongside over 2,000 state police officers to support local law enforcement. This decision was announced to address demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though specific locations for these deployments have not been disclosed. However, troops were visible at a demonstration in downtown San Antonio near the Alamo on Wednesday night, where a peaceful protest with hundreds of participants took place.
Abbott’s announcement comes amidst plans for additional protests scheduled for Saturday. These events are part of the national “No Kings” movement and will be spread across various Texan cities, including Houston, Austin, and Dallas. Earlier in the week, protests in Austin and Dallas experienced minor confrontations with law enforcement, who resorted to chemical irritants to disperse the crowd, resulting in about a dozen arrests.
The governor, emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance on violence, stated, “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.” He assured that any individuals resorting to violence or property damage would face full legal repercussions.
Abbott’s approach is notably different from that of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom, a Democrat, has publicly opposed President Trump’s decision to deploy military personnel in Los Angeles. In contrast, Abbott, a Republican, has a history of using the National Guard, especially for immigration-related matters, since he assumed office in 2014.
Mayors of San Antonio and Austin have indicated they did not request the National Guard’s mobilization in their cities. Nonetheless, Abbott has been assertive in using state resources for border security in the past, especially under Operation Lone Star. This initiative, ongoing since 2021, has involved deploying thousands of troops to curb illegal border crossings.
Furthermore, Texas has solidified its border security efforts by establishing a permanent border base for the Guard. This installation, once completed, will span 80 acres and accommodate up to 1,800 troops, signifying a long-term commitment to state-level immigration enforcement strategies.