Gov. Greg Abbott is again deploying state troopers and National Guard soldiers to Austin ahead of planned anti-Trump protests this weekend, which the Texas Republican deemed “antifa-linked demonstrations.”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for information on why he believes the “No Kings” protests are tied to antifa. The demonstrations — which drew thousands to cities like Austin, Houston and San Antonio in June — are sponsored by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters and the Sierra Club.
Antifa is a loosely-affiliated network of far-left activists, typically organized over social media, who show up to protests to silence voices on the far right. President Donald Trump last month issued an executive order declaring antifa a domestic terrorist organization.
“Violence and destruction will never be tolerated in Texas,” Abbott said in a statement announcing the deployment. “Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.”
Abbott previously deployed 5,000 Texas National Guard troops and 2,000 Department of Public Safety officers to “maintain order” at the demonstrations in June. It was a massive deployment that represented more than 20% of the state’s military forces and roughly half of DPS’s commissioned officers. The protests were largely peaceful and saw few arrests.
His office did not provide details on the size of this weekend’s deployment, but said in a statement that DPS and the Texas National Guard will be “surged” to the Austin area. DPS’s Homeland Security Division is also “actively monitoring” the protest in Austin and other demonstrations across the state.
The Texas Military Department did not respond to a request for comment.
“DPS will investigate any links to known terrorist organizations and swiftly bring charges against those who engage in unlawful activity,” Abbott’s statement said.
State Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat, slammed the deployment as an attempt to suppress protests.
“Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do — and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them,” Wu said. “By inviting armed soldiers into our streets, the Governor has sold out our sovereignty to a corrupt politician looking to distract you from the Epstein Files, rising prices at the grocery store, and more Texans than ever unable to realize the dream of homeownership. The Texas we love was built on freedom from tyranny, not submission to it.”
