Governor Mike Kehoe declared a state of emergency in Missouri on Thursday as civil unrest linked to nationwide immigration protests escalates. The move follows sweeping demonstrations sparked by controversial ICE raids and subsequent federal responses under the Trump administration.
Missouri has placed the National Guard on alert to support local law enforcement if needed. The declaration, issued under Executive Order 25-25, empowers the Adjutant General to deploy service members in coordination with state officials to safeguard communities and maintain public order.
Proactive Measures to Prevent Violence
“We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,” Governor Kehoe said, as reported by The Hill.
He emphasized Missouri’s commitment to acting ahead of potential threats: “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 added.
The order follows a unified coordination between the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Department of Public Safety, and the Missouri National Guard, forming a command team to assess and respond to emerging threats across the state.
Protests Erupt Nationwide After ICE Raids
The current wave of protests began in Los Angeles after ICE agents conducted sweeping arrests of undocumented immigrants. The raids led to immediate backlash and demonstrations across the city.
In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump deployed nearly 5,000 troops — including National Guard and Marine units — to Los Angeles to maintain order. California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply criticized the move, accusing Trump of “pulling a military dragnet” across the state and vowed legal retaliation.
Similar protests have since spread to major cities including New York, Seattle, Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas, and Washington, DC. Demonstrators continue to call for an end to aggressive immigration enforcement and for the protection of immigrant communities.
