Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas said late Tuesday that he would deploy National Guard troops across the state, making him the first governor to do so as protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown spread across the United States.
Mr. Abbott, a Republican and a vocal supporter of President Trump’s immigration agenda, said on social media that he would not tolerate violence as protests are planned in San Antonio on Wednesday.
The protests that began in Los Angeles last Friday against federal immigration raids have spread to more than a dozen U.S. cities, including Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. While many of the protests have been peaceful, police have clashed with demonstrators at some of them.
Mr. Trump has threatened to override governors who don’t want to send National Guard troops to stop protests, like the president did in California, where he sent nearly 5,000 National Guard troops and Marines over the strong objections of state leaders. That has made California ground zero for Mr. Trump’s immigration agenda, which includes ramping up deportations of undocumented immigrants with the help of local law enforcement agencies and, in a rare action, active-duty military forces.
Mr. Abbott’s announcement said that the Texas National Guard will “use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order.”
“Peaceful protest is legal,” he added. “Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest.”
The announcement did not specify where and when the troops will be deployed. Mr. Abbott’s office, the San Antonio Police Department, the Texas National Guard and U.S. Northern Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On Monday night, more than a dozen protesters were arrested in Austin during a demonstration at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Mr. Abbott had said. Law enforcement officials used tear gas and pepper ball projectiles, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
