The “No Kings” Protests – A National Overview 

The “No Kings” protests are centered on opposition to what protestors and organizers describe as executive overreach and authoritarian-style governance. The slogan reflects concerns that federal actions, specifically since the return of the Trump Administration into office, resemble monarchical or unchecked rule. This includes expanded executive authority, immigration enforcement measurements, deployment of federal agents domestically, and rhetoric about controlling power. Core issues driving turnout include concerns over federal use of emergency powers, fear of erosion of democratic norms and institutional checks, attacks on civil liberties, attacks on minority communities, and broader anxiety over the concentration of power in the executive branch. 

Organizers have continued to frame the movements as pro-democracy rather than partisan-related; the protests do skew heavily towards progressiveness and anti-Trump. Exact participation totals are still being debated, but early estimates suggest millions nationwide on the main day of coordinated demonstrations. This includes large crowds in major metro areas and continued smaller follow-up demonstrations in subsequent days. Over 8 million participated in the March 28th “No Kings” protest, making it potentially the largest single-day demonstration in American history. Previous rounds included an estimated 5 million in June of 2025 and 7 million in October 2025, bringing cumulative participation to over 20 million. Some are claiming that turnouts are representing the “largest in US history”, but that still remains unverified. The 2020 racial justice protests involved an estimated 15-26 million participants over weeks of sustained activity. 

The biggest gatherings have been reported in: Washington, DC, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Austin, Atlanta, and Seattle. Urban centers with strong activist infrastructure and university populations saw particularly large crowds. In Texas, Austin and Houston drew the most attention, with Dallas and San Antonio also hosting sizable events. Supporters say that the movement is a defense of constitutional democracy, large turnout is demonstrating public resistance to authoritarian trends, and peaceful mass mobilization is a sign of healthy civic engagement. 

The protests are occurring in a politically charged climate marked by ongoing immigration enforcement expansion, legal battles between states and federal authorities, escalating rhetoric around executive power, and higher early voter turnout/intensified primary election cycles. Political scientists note that large-scale protests often emerge during periods of perceived institutional instability or rapid policy shifts. Whether “No Kings” evolves into a sustained movement – like 2017 or 2020 – will depend on continued mobilization, messaging discipline, and response from political leadership. 

Texas Eyes New Mexico Border Counties – Obviously Faces Long Odds 

A proposal circulating among some conservative activists and lawmakers would allow certain Republican-dominated New Mexico border countries to leave their state and join Texas. It is a dramatic idea that has sparked political backlash and obviously raised serious legal and economic questions. The concept centers on allowing rural, conservative counties in eastern New Mexico to pursue annexation into Texas. Supporters argue that these counties are politically and culturally more aligned with Texas than with Santa Fe’s Democratic led government. Some of the counties frequently mentioned include areas near the Permian Basin and southeastern New Mexico, where oil and gas production plays a dominant economic role. 

However, this is not a simple border adjustment, it would require the following: 

1. Approval from the New Mexico Legislature 
2. Approval from the Texas Legislature 
3. Consent of US Congress under Article IV, Section 3 of the US Constitution 

This makes the proposal legally possible, however, extremely unlikely. 

If annexed, Texas would gain additional oil and gas tax revenue, expanded regulatory authority under the Texas Railroad Commission, and more influence over energy infrastructure in the region. New Mexico, meanwhile, would stand to lose substantial severance tax revenue that funds schools and state programs. Energy policy differences are a major motivator. Supporters from New Mexico see grass is greener on the other side, arguing that Texas offers lower regulatory burdens, no state income tax, and a more industry-friendly political climate. Opponents obviously counter that the move is financially and administratively unrealistic. 

There is a clear electoral dimension motivator as well. Texas could gain additional population, influence congressional district maps and add reliable Republican voters to Texas’ electorate. Depending on population size, it could also affect legislative apportionment or federal representation. The proposal is less about governance and more about partisan advantage. New Mexico leaders have sharply rejected the idea, calling it “political theater rather than serious policy.” 

Bo French, Candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Calls for Deportation of 100 Million People

Bo French, former Tarrant County GOP chair and the Republican candidate in the Texas Railroad Commission runoff, has drawn intense scrutiny for a pattern of inflammatory remarks and rhetoric that extend well beyond typical “political debate”. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, French said that Republicans should “more openly embrace Islamophobia” and called for the United States to deport 100 million people (this is one-third of our national population). He did this during a panel titled “Don’t Sharia My Texas”, and explicitly framed Islam as a dangerous threat, saying, “the problem is actually Islam”. He warned that Muslims and Muslim influence would allow outsiders to “control the United States.”

French’s comments at the conference are not an isolated incident. A former chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party, he has previously drawn condemnation from within his own party for religious bigotry and intolerance. Former Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has publicly rebuked French in 2025 over what Patrick described as “antisemitism and religious bigotry” after French used social media to ask followers to choose the “bigger threat to America” between Jews and Muslims. His rhetoric has also included broad calls to remove large groups of people from the country based on origin or belief. His posts have invoked deportation language directed at non-white groups, including Native Americans, in highly provocative charged contexts. 

French urges that the deportation of ⅓ of the country’s population is due to them “not sharing our values”, in a country based on religious freedom and individualism. French has also said that “Since 1965, we’ve allowed immigration from lots of places in the world whose culture and values do not align with America,” and warned that if Muslims “can infiltrate and conquer Texas… they’re going to be able to control the United States.” He has also posted pictures of Native Americans with text advocating the deportation of those he described as “third world savages”. 

Others describe French’s framing as echoing themes found in far-right conspiracy movements that see immigrants and religious minorities as “existential threats.” These statements have raised alarm among civil rights advocates, mainstream Republican officials, and local civic leaders who argue that a Railroad Commissioner – a position that regulates energy infrastructure critical to public health and safety – should not be a platform for such hateful rhetoric. Multiple Republican leaders and elected officials have condemned French’s bigoted language and distanced themselves from his statements. CAIR has called out his comments as “deeply offensive and inflammatory”, arguing that elected officials should not be promoting suspicion or division against faith and ethnic communities. 

His remarks – particularly based on mass deportations on cultural or religious identity – have become a defining and highly controversial part of his public profile. These comments are not just policy disagreements; they represent religious and ethnic targeting that even members of his own party have publicly repudiated. His opponent in the runoff, Jim Wright (current incumbent Railroad Commissioner), has contrasted his own message by criticizing French’s rhetoric as a distraction from the commission’s core regulatory mission. 

What’s more, high-profile backers Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks have now fueled French’s campaign. The two are hardline conservative donors in the major oil and energy industry, known for backing aggressive conservative causes and candidates in Texas. Both have provided substantial financial support to French’s campaign. This has helped his fundraising totals balloon to a level that has kept him competitive despite public backlash over his remarks. The involvement of deep-pocketed financiers like Dunn and Wilks underscores why French has remained politically viable despite repeated controversies; it highlights that unfortunately; his rhetoric is a set of priorities shared and championed by a well-funded faction within the GOP.

Political Notes

Democratic gubernatorial nominee state Rep. Gina Hinojosa continues her attacks on incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, now criticizing his long tenure in office. In a social media post recapping her appearance on a podcast, Hinojosa touts Abbott’s poor poll numbers from a recent UT/Texas Politics Project Poll showing his approval rating at only 46%. She claims Texans have grown tired of Abbott – he is currently in his third term and seeking reelection to a 4th term. If he wins and serves out his full term, his tenure of 16 years will be the longest of any Texas governor in history. Abbott also served 12 years as state Attorney General, one term on the Texas Supreme Court, and also served as a state district judge. Hinojosa goes on to admit that due to Abbott’s entire adult life being spent in elected office, her challenge is to achieve comparable name ID to Abbott. Hinojosa is serving her 4th term in the Texas House representing central Austin, including the Capitol Complex and University of Texas campus.

A resolution calling for the resignation of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has been voted down by the Harris County Commissioners Court. Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey brought forth the resolution in response to Hidalgo’s alleged conduct after being denied admission to a VIP area at the Houston Rodeo. Commissioners rejected Ramsey’s proposal, saying it was not proper for the court to remove an elected county judge. Instead, the commissioners removed all language related to Hidalgo and simply passed a resolution that simply honored the rodeo. Hidalgo did not attend the meeting.

Gov. Abbott has signaled support for President Trump’s executive order that imposes stricter rules on mail in voting and the creation of voter data bases that will allow the federal government to ultimately decide who is eligible to vote. Trump has called for elections to be nationalized, essentially taking away the rights of states to control the voter registration and election processes. The move is seen as additional pressure for the US Senate to pass the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship during the voter registration process. Abbott says he will work with the legislature to ensure passage of similar legislation next session. 

What’s Next??

The House State Affairs Committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss data centers, and their impact on the state’s electric grid and water supply. The House Administration Committee will meet Friday to consider sanctions against House Democrats that broke quorum last summer to delay a vote on the state’s proposed rewrite of the Congressional Districts.

The Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee has scheduled a meeting for May 11th, and the Senate Finance Committee has three scheduled meetings this summer to further discuss interim charges.

Now the campaigns for the runoffs begin. The runoff election is Tuesday, May 26th.