Across the United States, governors are deploying the National Guard as a precaution against potential unrest at upcoming ‘No Kings’ protests aimed at President Donald Trump. These demonstrations, set to take place in numerous major cities, are driven by accusations that Trump is leading an authoritarian regime.
In a fiery response, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson described the protests as an ‘anti-America rally,’ claiming they are made up of ‘the pro-Hamas wing’ and ‘antifa people.’ He expressed these views during an interview on Fox News, highlighting the political tension surrounding the events.
These protests, supported by influential figures like billionaire Democrat George Soros, mark the second major mobilization since Trump’s inauguration in January. The initial ‘No Kings’ protest in June saw violent altercations in cities such as Los Angeles and Portland, leading to heightened security measures for today’s gatherings.
In response to these concerns, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken decisive action. He directed the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard to bolster their presence in Austin, citing an anticipated protest linked to Antifa. This move underscores the widespread caution among state leaders as they brace for the potential fallout from the demonstrations.
The first No Kings protest in June resulted in violent clashes in Los Angeles and Portland, prompting increased security ahead of today’s demonstration.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard to ‘surge forces into Austin ahead of an Antifa-linked protest’.
‘Texas will NOT tolerate chaos,’ he wrote on X. ‘Anyone destroying property or committing acts of violence will be swiftly arrested. Law and order will be enforced.’
The governor’s office later issued a statement declaring that Special Agents, Texas Rangers, and the Texas National Guard will be deployed along with Homeland Security to investigate ‘any links to known terrorist organizations’.
The second No Kings protest is set to kick off in major cities across the country on Saturday afternoon
Multiple Republican governors including Greg Abbott and Glenn Youngkin have activated the National Guard ahead of the protests (Pictured: Law enforcement officers standing guard in Portland on October 6)
Prominent Republican leaders have doubted the protests peaceful intentions (Pictured: Members of the LAPD at a No Kings protest in Los Angeles on June 14)
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also placed the National Guard on ‘state active duty’ status.
The governor wrote in a statement: ‘With planned protests across the country this weekend, including in Virginia, I want to be clear that Virginians have a fundamental right to free speech and peaceful assembly, but that right does not include the destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of traffic, or violence of any kind—for which there will be zero tolerance.’
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall told CNN that the state would ‘have to get the National Guard out’ amid the nationwide protests.
‘Hopefully it’ll be peaceful. I doubt it,’ he added.
The president has increased the National Guard’s scope significantly during his first 10 months in office, deploying troops to major cities.
After Trump deployed the troops to Los Angeles, California officials widely protested their presence, and the state sued the Trump administration for exceeding legal authority by sending troops without the governor’s consent.
Later in the summer, Trump sent hundreds of National Guard members to Washington DC, prompting the District of Columbia to file a lawsuit to end the deployment.
In recent weeks, Trump activated National Guard troops in Portland, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mobilized members in Chicago.
Trump addressed the protests against his administration to reporters on Wednesday, noting that the opposition ‘have their day coming up’.
Kamala Harris shared a video ahead of nationwide protests, encouraging her supporters to join the peaceful rally
‘I hear very few people are gonna be there, by the way. But they have their day coming up and they want to have their day in the sun,’ he added.
Prominent celebrities and Democrats have encouraged participation in the protest, with former Vice President Kamala Harris sharing a video on social media advocating for peaceful protest of the current administration.
The organizers for the rally have maintained that the protest will be calm and the National Guard won’t be needed.
The No Kings coalition wrote on its website that all events have a shared commitment to preventing violence and promoting safety.
Organization leaders noted that they are trained in de-escalation and are working to ensure peaceful protests nationwide.
Diedre Schlifeling, the political and advocacy officer for the American Civil Liberties Union, which is participating in the protest, said she didn’t expect a need for the Guard.
‘But if the Trump Administration attempts to do that as a way to intimidate peaceful protests, we are prepared for that,’ she added.
The No Kings rally follows the first event in June that saw millions of people take to the streets in protest of Trump’s crusade against immigrants, healthcare policies, anti-environmental stances, and policies on gun violence.
Organization leaders have pushed back on the deployment of the National Guard, assuring that the event’s purpose is to be peaceful (Pictured: Images of a No Kings protest in Chicago on June 14)
Millions of attendees across are anticipated to join the over 2,500 planned protests taking place across the US (Pictured: Protesters in North Carolina in June)
The event coincided with a massive parade the president ordered to the military’s 250th anniversary which also unfolded around his birthday.
‘The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty,’ the organization’s description reads.
‘Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People – the people who care, who show up, and the ones who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.’
There are a multitude of partners sponsoring the event, including the TransLatin Coalition, Stand Up America, the Sierra Club, Saline Indivisible, Planned Parenthood, Greenpeace, Catholics Vote Common Good, Bend the Arc Jewish Action, the Arab American Institute, and the ACLU, among others.
There are over 2,500 planned protests across the country, with major events in San Francisco, Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York City, and Boston.
