The Department of Justice has alerted U.S. attorney offices across the country to be on standby ahead of protests expected this Saturday. Nearly 100 offices have been advised to prepare for a potential rise in criminal investigations tied to demonstrations planned in opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration.
DOJ prepares for ‘No Kings’ protests
In a statement to Fox News, a DOJ spokesperson said the department respects peaceful protests and that individuals have the right to assemble.
“However, the department and its 94 U.S. attorney offices will not tolerate unlawful violence & destruction of property,” they said.
Florida law enforcement warns against violence
State and local law enforcement agencies are also on alert. In Florida, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said on Thursday, June 12, that his deputies will not tolerate violence during the protests during the weekend of Friday, June 13.
“Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at,” he said. “Because we will kill you graveyard dead.”
The comments came during a press conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who stated that Florida isn’t Los Angeles and warned that any protester who causes unrest will face criminal charges.
“Border Patrol and ICE agents enforcing immigration law deserve protection from leftists trying to harm them. If the left doxes these agents, we will have their backs,” Uthmeier warned. “Whether you make the poor choice to riot or publish an agent’s personal information online to bring harm, you are committing a crime in Florida. We will find you and hold you accountable.”
Florida’s 2021 anti-riot law allows authorities to charge peaceful protesters if a demonstration turns violent. On June 9, Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, said the state makes a clear distinction between protesting and rioting and will act accordingly. He later spoke on a podcast, as reported by Straight Arrow News, saying that drivers in Florida have the right to flee from protesters blocking the roadways and threatening their safety.
Clashes erupt in Los Angeles amid immigration enforcement
Protests erupted in Los Angeles following increased immigration enforcement in the region. While the demonstrations began peacefully, according to the LAPD, some individuals later clashed with officers, throwing rocks, using incendiary devices and engaging in other acts of violence.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, and other officials say Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines escalated tensions and contributed to the outbreak of violence.
‘No Kings’ protests challenge Trump’s army celebration, administration
Thousands of “No Kings” protests are scheduled to take place nationwide on Saturday, June 14, coinciding with Trump’s 250th anniversary celebration of the U.S. Army.
Instead of holding a rally in Washington, the “No Kings” movement is holding its largest rally in Philadelphia, describing it as a grassroots alternative to what they view as a wasteful and undemocratic display. The group chose not to protest in Washington, instead encouraging nationwide action to challenge what they see as authoritarianism and political corruption.
A website organizing the demonstrations features a map showing planned protest locations across the country. The homepage includes a bold message: “In America, we don’t do kings. They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services.”
The 50501 Movement, which stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement, is organizing the demonstrations.
Texas response to planned protests
In a move similar to Trump’s, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, has ordered more than 5,000 National Guard troops to support thousands of police officers on Saturday.
“Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump’s enforcement of immigration law,” he said in a news release on Thursday.
