Justice Officials To Pro-Trump Protesters: Don't Mess With Texas

AUSTIN, TX — The state Capitol of Texas took on the look of a fortress Saturday as police locked down the building and its surrounding grounds to prevent potentially violent protests by pro-Trump factions ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.

The state government hub was closed the previous day through Inauguration Day on Wednesday "in an abundance of caution," according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Dozens of troopers could be seen standing guard, and a makeshift command center was set up on Capitol grounds. By Saturday, the locked gates prevented pro-Trump demonstrators to enter the grounds in protest as is typically customary for demonstrators rallying around myriad causes year-round in the capital city.

This temporary suspension of political expression comes ten days after pro-Trump demonstrators breached the U.S. Capitol in condemning the outcome of a presidential election they believe was somehow stolen from Donald Trump — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary — via electoral fraud. Five people, including a police officer, died in the insurrection in the nation's capital, and a subsequent FBI bulletin warmed of further planned gatherings among armed demonstrators in all 50 state capitols ahead of Inauguration Day — dramatic developments that have put law enforcement agencies nationwide on high alert.

State troopers stand guard outside the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

In Texas, such tension was palpable given the ubiquitous sight of Texas troopers alongside U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents — many in riot gear, ready for potential combat — standing guard outside the Capitol gates to deter potential violence.

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The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas didn't mince words in warning against those predisposed to violence in decrying the presidential election outcome that vanquished Donald Trump after a single term in office. "U.S. Attorneys Warn: Don't Mess With Texas," read the headline of a recent advisory directly addressing pro-Trump forces.

“During this time of polarized political discord, freedom of speech is an important right that must be safeguarded, but those who threaten to harm others, commit acts of violence, destroy property or attack law enforcement must be held accountable for their criminal behavior,” U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer said in a prepared statement. “Now, more than ever, we must respect the rule of law. The Texas United States Attorneys’ Offices along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners will pursue federal charges against those who refuse to do so.”

In areas of government property where gating or fencing was not an option, law enforcement officials relied on police tape that proved an effective trespassing deterrent in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Sofer joined his counterparts — U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick, Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah and U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox of the Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, respectively — to warn those planning to cross state lines to commit crimes in Texas or at the State Capitol that justice will be sought, according to the advisory.

The stern warning, coupled with the bolstered presence of law enforcement officials safeguarding the Capitol — and, for good measure, the Governor's Mansion — seemed to have had the desired calming effect. A small pro-Trump protest was staged just outside the closed Capitol gates on Saturday morning before petering out some 45 minutes later.

Normally accessible landscape for year-round political expression among myriad causes, the grounds of the state Capitol were locked down against a backdrop of national political unrest on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Throughout the day, the occasional demonstrator — outfitted in camouflage clothing and openly carried firearms — straggled in intermittently in a show of displeasure over Biden's presidential ascendancy. Despite the sight of firearms allowed to be carried in plain view after the "open carry" law championed by Gov. Greg Abbott took effect on Jan. 1, 2016, such isolated demonstrations were peaceful.

A protester outside the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, spoke of his suspicions that Democrats were ushering in Communism among other beliefs on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

One such demonstrator — a pleasant enough yount man incongruously outfitted in what amounted to battle gear — expressed his belief that Democrats are slowly ushering in Communism, and lambasted what he sees as censorship among social media platforms deleting certain conservative ideological messaging.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the addition of added troopers to the Capitol without discussing machinations or strategy for the bolstered move. The law enforcement agency has alluded to preparations for two upcoming demonstrations in the run-up to Inauguration Day without sharing specifics.

The iconic slogan "Don't Mess With Texas" is considered among the most successful public service campaigns in deterring would-be litterers from throwing out refuse onto Texas highways since its 1986 launch. Against a backdrop of political upheaval given the outcome of the presidential race, the slogan has taken on double duty in inhibiting potential insurrection in Texas.

For now, those in the Lone Star State intent on violent uprising seemed to have heeded the reappropiated message. Added lighting was added to the state Capitol grounds to illuminate the surroundings as evening fell. Law enforcement officials stood guard still, hoping to dispel figurative darkness lurking within those seeking to avenge the outgoing president's election loss with violence, destruction and acts of vandalism.

At least until Inauguration Day on Wednesday, officers will continue to stand in place to safeguard the hub of state government in the Texas capital. And at least until then, the "Don't Mess With Texas" decree will remain.