The Move Comes Ahead of a Planned Protest in San Antonio and Follows Days of Protests in L.A.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the deployment of National Guard troops across the state, including San Antonio, ahead of a wave of planned protests targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration. The move comes just days after similar protests erupted in Los Angeles, prompting a local curfew and raising tensions nationwide.
“Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest,” Abbott wrote on X late Tuesday. “@TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order.”
Protests Sparked by ICE Courtroom Arrests
The demonstrations were triggered by a series of arrests in which ICE agents reportedly detained migrants immediately after their immigration court cases were dismissed in San Antonio. On Sunday, a peaceful protest took place downtown in response, according to Spectrum News 1. But more protests are expected as backlash grows.
The San Antonio Police Department confirmed it is coordinating with National Guard troops deployed to the city. Local law enforcement is preparing for additional demonstrations expected downtown on Wednesday evening.
Saturday Protest Marks Trump’s Birthday With ‘No Kings Day’
Tensions are set to rise further this weekend with a large anti-Trump protest planned for Saturday—President Trump’s birthday. Dubbed “No Kings Day,” the protest is organized by a coalition that includes the 50501 Movement, Bexar County Democratic Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Indivisible, and Women’s March. It’s part of a national wave of coordinated protests challenging Trump’s immigration crackdowns and use of force.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and local police are expected to hold a press conference today to outline safety measures and the city’s protest response strategy.
Statewide and National Response Intensifies
Across Texas, demonstrations have already escalated. On Monday night in Austin, 500 protesters rallied in front of the Capitol in solidarity with the Los Angeles protests. State and local authorities used pepper spray and flash-bang grenades, leading to over a dozen arrests, according to Abbott.
Meanwhile, California is locked in a political clash of its own. After Trump federalized the National Guard in Los Angeles—over Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections—California’s attorney general filed a lawsuit claiming the president’s actions overstepped his authority.
Trump remained unapologetic, calling the protests “a disaster” and praising the heavy force response. “We stopped a disaster,” he said from the Oval Office. “We did a great job. They were met with heavy force, and they folded.”
What’s Next for San Antonio
With state troops on the ground and city officials on alert, all eyes are on San Antonio. Whether the protests remain peaceful or face the kind of escalated enforcement seen in L.A. and Austin remains to be seen. What’s clear: the national conversation around immigration, protest rights, and presidential power is far from over.
