Republican state leaders in several US regions have placed National Guard personnel on standby preparing for widespread protests resisting Donald Trump and his initiatives.
Rally Size and Organization
Organizers of the "Anti-Authoritarian" initiative announced that gatherings are arranged at more than 2,500 sites across the nation.
As per protest coordinators, the last Anti-Monarchy gathering in June attracted more than five million demonstrators protesting Trump's political direction.
Regional Actions
State leaders in the Lone Star State and the Old Dominion have formally deployed their state's National Guard troops, though the level of armed forces presence remains unknown.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott mentioned the "scheduled antifa-linked rally" as reasoning for calling up regional troops.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin correspondingly authorized activation of the regional National Guard contingent.
Political Reactions
Protest leaders portrayed the events as challenge to Trump's "autocratic tendencies."
"The president thinks his authority is absolute," organizers claim on their website.
"However in the United States, we reject absolute rulers and we will not retreat against turmoil, graft, and brutality."
Several GOP members have labeled the rallies as "Anti-American" assemblies.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall according to sources commented before the protests: "We must deploy the National Guard."
"With luck it'll be non-violent. I'm skeptical," he concluded.
Democratic Reaction
Democratic officials condemned the deployment of state personnel.
Texas Democrat Gene Wu asserted: "Sending equipped military personnel to quell calm protests is precisely what dictators and autocrats do — and Greg Abbott just demonstrated he's among them."
