Professional-Trump Protesters Justice Officers: Do not Mess With Texas

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas State Capitol looked like a fortress on Saturday as police cordoned off the building and surrounding grounds to prevent potentially violent protests from pro-Trump factions ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.

According to the Texas Ministry of Public Security, the state government’s turnstile was closed “with great caution” from the day before until Wednesday. Dozens of soldiers were on guard and a makeshift command center was set up on the Capitol grounds. Until Saturday, the locked gates prevented pro-Trump protesters from entering the grounds in protest, as is customary for protesters who gather around myriad causes year-round in the capital, Texas.

This temporary suspension of demonstrations comes ten days after pro-Trump protesters violated the U.S. Capitol while condemning the result of a presidential election they believe was somehow stolen from Donald Trump – despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Five people, including a police officer, died in the uprising in the country’s capital, and a subsequent FBI bulletin warned of planned gatherings of armed protesters in all 50 state capitals ahead of the day of inauguration – dramatic developments that have skyrocketed law enforcement agencies across the country attentive.

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On Saturday, January 16, 2021, the state troops guard in front of the governor’s house. Employee of Tony Cantú / Patch.

Such tension was palpable in Texas, given the ubiquitous sight of Texas soldiers alongside Homeland Security agents – many in riot gear, ready for potential combat – standing guard outside the Capitol gates to ward off potential violence.

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the western district of Texas did not warn of violent people when it deciphered the result of the presidential election that defeated Donald Trump after a single term. “US lawyers warn: Do not mess with Texas,” says the headline of their latest report, which is aimed directly at the pro-Trump forces.

“In this time of polarized political discord, freedom of expression is an important right that must be respected, but those who threaten to harm others, commit acts of violence, destroy property or attack law enforcement agencies must be held accountable for their criminal conduct. ” US attorney Gregg N. Sofer said in a prepared statement. “Now, more than ever, we must respect the rule of law. Texas law firms, along with our law enforcement partners at the federal, state and local levels, will prosecute those who refuse to do so.”

Sofer joined his colleagues – US attorney Ryan K. Patrick, acting US attorney Prerak Shah, and US attorney Stephen J. Cox from the southern, northern, and eastern districts of Texas – to warn those who plan to cross state lines to commit crimes in Texas or the state capitol to seek justice according to the advice.

The stern warning, coupled with the increased presence of state troops protecting the Capitol – and much of the governor’s villa – seemed to have had the desired calming effect. A small pro-Trump protest took place outside the closed capital gates of the Capitol on Saturday morning or 45 minutes before the end.

Later that day, the occasional protester, dressed in camouflage and openly carrying firearms, came in as a token of displeasure at Biden’s rise as president. But such demonstrations were quiet, despite the fact that guns were allowed to be carried in sight under the Open Carry Act advocated by Governor Greg Abbott on January 1, 2016. One young man – pleasant enough while inappropriately equipped in combat equipment – expressed his belief that Democrats are slowly ushering in communism and lambasted what he sees as censorship among social media platforms to erase certain conservative ideological messages .

A protester outside the Texas Capitol spoke of his suspicions that the Democrats initiated communism on Saturday, January 16, 2021, among other things. Tony Cantú / Patch Staff.

The Texas Department of Security confirmed the dispatch of additional soldiers to the Capitol without discussing the machinations or strategies for the increased relocation. CNN and other media outlets reported that law enforcement was preparing for two upcoming demonstrations ahead of Inauguration Day, but details were not disclosed.

The iconic “Don’t Mess With Texas” slogan is widely recognized as one of the most successful public service campaigns to prevent potential garbage litter from dumping garbage on Texas freeways. Against the backdrop of sometimes violent protests by those condemning the Biden victory, the slogan has taken on a double duty to prevent a possible riot in Texas.

At the moment, those in the Lone Star State contemplating a violent uprising appeared to have heeded the message. Additional lighting has been added to the State Capitol grounds to illuminate the area as night falls. Police officers stood still, hoping to dispel the pictorial darkness that lurked in those who sought to avenge the outgoing president’s loss through violence and destruction.