Texas' Largest Newspaper Trashes Greg Abbott Protest Move: 'Expect Better'

The Houston Chronicle, Texas's top selling newspaper, has published an editorial fiercely critical of Governor Greg Abbott over his rhetoric and decision to deploy Texas National Guard troops in response to protests against immigration enforcement, saying "we expect better of him."

Newsweek contacted Governor Abbott for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

On Tuesday, Abbott announced the deployment of Texas National Guard soldiers. The following day on X he said "5,000+" National Guard personnel would help manage protests in the state adding: "Don't mess with Texas."

The move came after days of unrest in Los Angeles which began on June 6 when demonstrators clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempting to conduct raids in the city. The following days saw more violent disorder with Waymo self-driving vehicles set on fire and rocks thrown at police who responded with tear gas and other "less lethal" weapons.

Abbott's move places him at odds with California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who opposed President Donald Trump's decision to deploy California National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles.

What to Know

In its editorial, the Houston Chronicle said Abbott's decision to deploy National Guard troops following protests "seems like an overreaction," adding: "But there was no serious indication Tuesday that Texas was on the verge of exploding. No burning cars. No looting. No mayors imposing curfews."

Instead the editorial claimed the "most significant provocation to violence seemed to come from Abbott himself, citing the governor's warning that "Peaceful protesting is legal. But once you cross the line, you will be arrested. FAFO." FAFO is an acronym for 'F*** around find out.'

The editorial described this as "the kind of thing that middle schoolers say before a fistfight" adding: "This isn't the grown-up leadership that Texas needs."

According to All Sides, a website which monitors media bias, the Houston Chronicle is a centrist publication. In recent years it has endorsed Democratic presidential candidates including Kamala Harris in 2024 and Joe Biden in 2020.

There was some disorder in Austin and Dallas on Monday night during anti-ICE protests, police making a number of arrests in both cities.

According to Fox 7 Austin, four officers were injured after some demonstrators began throwing rocks and other missiles, while police responded with pepper balls and tear gas.

Further protests are expected across Texas on Saturday as part of the national "No Kings" movement, which said it has organized 1,800 demonstrations nationwide. The protests coincide with Trump's 79th birthday and a controversial parade planned for Washington, D.C. nominally celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ordered the Trump administration to return control of the California National Guard troops he deployed to Newsom, though this was later temporarily blocked by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal.

What People Are Saying

In its editorial the Houston Chronicle said: "We join Gov. Abbott in urging that anyone planning to protest do so peacefully. But we also hope that he and other leaders will set a respectful tone and allow police to do their jobs. Local law officers have more peacekeeping training and community knowledge than National Guard soldiers. And the National Guard, in turn, is far better at domestic peacekeeping than the U.S. military. Domestic policing is not the military's job, not what the vast majority of soldiers are trained to do."

On Thursday, via X, Abbott said: "Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we've seen in LA. I deployed 5,000+ Texas National Guard soldiers & 2,000+ DPS troopers across Texas to maintain order at these protests.

"Anyone who damages property or harms a person will be arrested. Don't mess with Texas."

Speaking to Newsweek about Saturday's planned protests Mark Shanahan, who teaches American politics at the UK's Surrey University, said: "How many people turn out for the 1,800 planned protests will be fascinating and an indication of the strength of opposition to Trump's hard-line policies on immigration and law and order. For 249 years the USA really hasn't tolerated kings or tyranny, yet this president continues to push ever-harder at those Constitutional barriers. His military parade is more reminiscent of the exercises in hubris and vanity often seen in Moscow and Pyongyang."

What Happens Next

It remains to be seen what role, if any, the Texas National Guard will fulfill during Saturday's 'No Kings' protests. Any conflict between soldiers and demonstrators on American streets would likely spark civil liberties concerns.