GOP governors in several US states have positioned National Guard units on standby ahead of massive protests resisting Donald Trump and his initiatives.
Rally Size and Coordination
Coordinators of the "Anti-Monarchy" initiative announced that assemblies are planned at more than 2,500 sites throughout the United States.
Based on rally leaders, the prior No Kings protest in June brought out more than five million demonstrators protesting Trump's governmental approach.
Regional Actions
State leaders in the Lone Star State and the Old Dominion have publicly activated their state's National Guard troops, though the degree of military presence remains unclear.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott referenced the "planned radical rally" as reasoning for activating local forces.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin correspondingly directed activation of the state's National Guard forces.
Partisan Reactions
Demonstration leaders characterized the assemblies as resistance to Trump's "authoritarianism."
"The president believes his rule is total," organizers claim on their online platform.
"But in this country, we oppose monarchs and we won't back down against turmoil, dishonesty, and brutality."
Various Republicans have labeled the protests as "Unpatriotic" gatherings.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall reportedly stated ahead of the protests: "We must call out the National Guard."
"Ideally it'll be non-violent. I'm skeptical," he concluded.
Opposition Response
Liberal representatives denounced the activation of state forces.
Texas Democrat Gene Wu asserted: "Sending equipped military personnel to control calm demonstrations is precisely what monarchs and autocrats do — and Greg Abbott just demonstrated he's one of them."
