Missouri governor activates National Guard ahead of anti-Trump protests

Jonathan Shorman and Kacen Bayless, The Kansas City Star on Jun 12, 2025

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Gov. Mike Kehoe activated the Missouri National Guard on Thursday, declaring a state of emergency due to civil unrest, even as no evidence existed of riots or other widespread violence in the state.

The Republican governor singled out Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield and other “affected communities” in Missouri where events were occurring or “could occur” that create hazards for people and property beyond the resources of local officials.

The decision to call up the National Guard came ahead of anticipated widespread, national demonstrations on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump. On that day, Trump plans to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C.

The activation by Kehoe, a former lieutenant governor who cast himself as a champion of law and order, also comes after Trump federalized the California National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles and also sent hundreds of Marines into the city – an extraordinary demonstration of power that local officials call provocative.

Kehoe called the Missouri activation precautionary. Nevertheless, the text of the governor’s executive order activating the National Guard declares that a state of emergency “exists in the State of Missouri due to civil unrest.”

“We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,” Kehoe said in a statement. “While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities.”

Kehoe declared the state of emergency days before he’s expected to travel to France on a trade mission. The governor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a question about whether he would still make the trip.

Thousands of people are expected to demonstrate across Missouri on Saturday in what organizers are calling “No Kings” marches and gatherings.

Indivisible, the progressive organization putting on the events, has promoted events in four Kansas City area cities in both Jackson and Johnson counties. A Kansas City demonstration will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at Mill Creek Park off the Plaza.

Kehoe’s announcement does not indicate whether the National Guard will be deployed anywhere in the state ahead of Saturday. The governor’s order gives the adjutant general the power to call the Guard into active service as deemed necessary.

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