Greg Abbott Deploys Troops to Intimidate Anti-Trump Protestors, Texas Democrats Respond
Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that he is deploying Texas National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers) across several Texas cities ahead of the upcoming “No Kings” rally protesting President Donald Trump’s administration — a move state Democrats blasted as unnecessary, authoritarian, and rooted in political fear.
Democratic Leaders Call Abbott’s Move a Waste and a Fear Tactic
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder said Abbott is “using state resources to impress Trump instead of governing.”
“Greg Abbott is doing everything he can to suck up to Donald Trump, including taking a page from Trump’s authoritarian playbook,” Scudder said. “Our cities are not warzones or military training grounds, and we don’t need an unnecessary display of force at the expense of taxpayers. Abbott wants to make people afraid to come out—exactly like a king or those protecting a king would. It’s not going to work.”
Scudder said he plans to join protesters on Saturday and urged Texans to remain peaceful while standing firm in their right to protest.
“Sending Soldiers Against Texans”
Texas House Democratic Leader Gene Wu went further, saying Abbott’s troop deployment shows “how insecure he really is.”
“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 from the Epstein Files, grocery prices through the roof, and Texans being priced out of homeownership.”
Wu said Abbott’s actions are “theatrics” meant to please Trump and silence Texans.
Political Theater, Real Costs
Abbott’s office provided no evidence of credible safety concerns to justify the deployment. Local officials in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio confirmed they had not requested state assistance for any rallies.
Democrats called the move an expensive stunt, drawing comparisons to Trump-era crowd control tactics that escalated rather than prevented unrest.
’NO KINGS’ Mass Protest, Saturday
“Abbott Can’t Intimidate the People”
Scudder said the No Kings Rally will proceed as planned and that Abbott’s attempt to intimidate voters and protesters will fail.
“Abbott thinks fear will keep people home,” Scudder said. “He’s wrong again.”
