 "Republican states activate National Guard ahead of 'No Kings' protest against Trump")
Republican governors in several US states have placed National Guard troops on standby in preparation for a nationwide protest movement aimed at opposing Donald Trump and his policies.
The organisers of the “No Kings” protests say that gatherings will take place at more than 2,500 locations around the US. Trump allies have accused the protesters of being allied with the far-left Antifa movement.
Governors in Texas and Virginia have activated their states’ National Guard troops, though it remains unclear how visible the military presence will be during the protests.
Organisers say that at the last No Kings protest, held in June, more than five million people took to the streets to denounce Trump’s political agenda. They say the upcoming protests are intended to challenge what they describe as Trump’s “authoritarianism.”
“The president thinks his rule is absolute,” they say on their website.
“But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
Some Republicans have criticised the demonstrations, calling them “Hate America” rallies.
“We’ll have to get the National Guard out,” Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said ahead of the rallies, according to CNN. “Hopefully it’ll be peaceful. I doubt it.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday activated the state’s National Guard ahead of a protest scheduled in Austin, the state capital. He said the troops would be needed due to the “planned antifa-linked demonstration.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDemocrats denounced the move, including the state’s top Democrat, Gene Wu, who argued: “Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do — and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has also ordered the activation of the state’s National Guard.
 "‘Every inch of Pakistan within range’: Rajnath, CM Yogi unveil first batch of BrahMos from Lucknow facility")
 "US body responsible for protecting Nuclear Arsenal to furlough 1,400 workers amid govt shutdown")
 "'I understand Pakistan attacked': Trump says resolving Afghanistan conflict would be 'easy' for him")
 "Putin-Trump summit: Can the Russian leader travel to Hungary despite an ICC warrant?")
 "‘Every inch of Pakistan within range’: Rajnath, CM Yogi unveil first batch of BrahMos from Lucknow facility")
 "US body responsible for protecting Nuclear Arsenal to furlough 1,400 workers amid govt shutdown")
 "'I understand Pakistan attacked': Trump says resolving Afghanistan conflict would be 'easy' for him")
 "Putin-Trump summit: Can the Russian leader travel to Hungary despite an ICC warrant?")
