Armed Pro-Trump Protesters Gather Outside Texas Capitol In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — A small but vocal group of armed pro-Trump demonstrators began to gather outside the state Capitol on Tuesday — an offshoot of ongoing protests by some voters decrying the outcome of the presidential election.

A smattering of people were at the north side of the Capitol to protest the election that handed Joe Biden the presidency, a group reportedly to number a mere two dozen or so. According to freelance journalist Michael Hardy, one of the speakers at the event described himself as leader of a militia called "Patriots for America." One demonstrator told a reporter from the Houston affiliate of National Public Radio he blamed the anemic turnout on erroneous reports being spread via social media that demonstrators would get arrested following a violent riot in Washington, D.C. last week that left five people dead.

An exponentially greater number of state troopers could be seen strategically stationed on the grounds in anticipation of throngs of protesters. Troopers could be seen all around the building, with as many as 20 at each major point of entry.

While the sight of demonstrators rallying around various causes is not uncommon as lawmakers propose various legislation inside the Capitol — as was the case on Tuesday during the first day of the state's legislative session — the local protest comes a mere six days after the U.S. Capitol was breached by pro-Trump forces, which resulted in deaths, destruction of property, multiple arrests and a move to impeach the president a second time amid accusations of inciting the riot in a fiery, pre-breach speech to followers.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers encircled the state Capitol ahead of pro-Trump protesters decrying the outcome of the presidential election on Jan. 12, 2021. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement on Tuesday acknowledging the first day of the legislative session without remarking on the demonstration outside the state Capitol, the violence at the nation's capital or the backdrop of a presidential election still questioned by some amidst a widening political ideology divide.

"Over the next 140 days, we have the opportunity to not only respond to the challenges we face, but we also have an opportunity to put Texas on a trajectory to a future of even greater hope and opportunity," Abbott said in a prepared statement. "Now more than ever, Texans need the Legislature to succeed this session. But equally important, America needs Texas to lead the way. If we do this, then we will chart a course towards a healthier, safer, freer, and more prosperous future for every Texan."

Some 20 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers could be seen at every major entry point to the state Capitol building on Jan. 12, 2021, standing guard even as pro-Trump protesters had yet to arrive. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

In the aftermath of a violent breach in the nation's capital, an internal FBI bulletin warned of plans for subsequent armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration. Locally, the small demonstration grew in size as the day progressed since the first smattering of protesters arrived in the morning.

Given that backdrop of political unrest, a heavy police presence could be seen safeguarding the grounds amid the local protests. Throughout the grounds of the state Capitol, Texas Department of Public Safety troops and Texas National Guard members kept watch over the demonstration — images widely shared on social media.

An ad hoc command center was set up on the state Capitol grounds as troopers prepared for the arrival of pro-Trump protesters — in an ultimately sparse gathering of some two dozen demonstrators — on Jan. 12, 2021, during the first day of the Texas legislative session. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

As violence visited the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, officials made the decision to close the hub of state government as a precaution after having just reopened the historic building days before following a protracted, months-long, coronavirus-spurred closure. While the state Capitol was open to visitors once more on Tuesday, entry was predicated on temperature checks — a measure prompted after Texas reported more than 13,000 newly confirmed cases of the respiratory illness statewide.

Behind the state Capitol, officers manned a makeshift command center on Jan. 12, 2021, as pro-Trump protesters — ultimately a mere two dozen or so in number — prepared to descend on the grounds. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

It's not the first time pro-Trump demonstrations have taken place amid discord over the presidential election. Peaceful — yet also armed — demonstrators took to the state Capitol grounds as chaos engulfed the nation's capital last week. And days after Trump lost the election by some 7 million votes, his followers lined both sides of 11th Street in downtown Austin fronting the then-gated state Capitol building to loudly protest the vote count outcome.

Previous coverage:

• Pro-Trump Demonstrators Gather Outside Texas Capitol
• Elation, Sadness In Austin Over Biden-Harris Victory

Further adding to palpable political tension on Tuesday was a visit to the Texas border with Mexico by Donald Trump in the waning days of his presidency. Trump's visit to this open-carry state — where demonstrators are legally allowed to carry firearms in support of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — comes as he faces a second impeachment by federal lawmakers. Many blame Trump for having incited the breach at the U.S. Capitol after he rallied his followers to march to the building as the Electoral College count was being certified.

Adding to the standoff vibe between camps on opposite sides of a political divide — along with characteristics of immutable last stand — was the name of the South Texas city Trump chose to visit in extolling his pet project of border wall construction that yielded his signature, most tangible, accomplishment of a single term as president. Trump on Tuesday traveled to the border town of Alamo, namesake of the 18th century mission where a hard-fought, bloody battle for independence from Mexico occurred some 240 miles north in San Antonio 185 years ago.