Abbott Sends Guard to Austin Amid Nationwide Protests

Thousands of “No Kings” protests are taking place nationwide at more than 2,500 locations as organizers rally against what they describe as President Trump’s “authoritarianism,” including aggressive immigration enforcement and threats to democratic institutions. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety personnel — including state troopers, Special Agents, Texas Rangers and tactical assets — into Austin ahead of the demonstrations, calling the events “antifa-linked” and warning that anyone who commits violence or property damage will be arrested. Other Republican governors, including Virginia’s Glenn Youngkin, also activated or placed National Guard troops and surged state law‑enforcement resources ahead of the protests, citing concerns about violence and alleged antifa ties. Local officials in Austin, including Mayor Kirk Watson, pushed back against the deployment as a potential militarization of protest while Austin police urged peaceful First Amendment expression but warned they would deter criminal behavior; Democrats and organizers criticized the moves as intimidation that could chill free speech. Organizers and civil‑liberties groups stressed that No Kings is largely nonviolent and urged participants to know their rights and remain peaceful, while reports from Boston and Oklahoma described largely peaceful gatherings with elected officials and hundreds of participants.