DALLAS -- Speaking in Dallas Tuesday, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott spoke of the nationwide protests that were spurred by the in-custody death of Houston native George Floyd.

What You Need To Know


  • Gov. Abbott discussed death of George Floyd and resultant protests Tuesday

  • Referred to Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody as "horrific"

  • Denounced "violence" and "vandalism" in Texas

  • Said he will not call on President Trump to deploy armed services to Texas 

Dallas saw protests of its own this past weekend, and police there made more than 70 arrests Sunday for curfew violations.

RELATED: Dallas Police Make Arrests Overnight as Texas Cities Enforce Curfews

Abbott described Floyd’s death in Minneapolis as “horrific” and said he supports peaceful protests. Texas cities have now seen several days of demonstrations over Floyd's death. He died last week after a white police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

"What happened to George Floyd was a horrific act of police brutality, and I join the millions of American who seek swift justice," Abbott said. "George Floyd's death has touched every corner of our country, and people are rightfully angry. The beautiful thing about America is that every person has the right to make their voices heard and protest against injustice. However, violence and vandalism are never the answer, and they have no place in the Lone Star State.”

To quell the violence that has taken place at some Texas protests, the governor over the weekend deployed the Texas National Guard and DPS troopers to aid police. In Dallas alone, hundreds of guardsmen and roughly 1,000 DPS troopers were dispatched.

Abbott additionally said he is working with four United States attorneys to subject violent agitators from out of state to federal prosecution.

RELATED: President Trump Slams Governors as "Weak," Urges Crackdown on Protests

"It is essential that we end the violence, vandalism, and looting that we have have seen. But restoring calm in our communities does not end with this task—our work will not end until justice, fairness, and equality become reality in every part of our state," Abbott said. "Texas is up to this task, because Texans can overcome any challenge. We will seize this moment to bridge the divides that exist in our state so that we can keep Texas the greatest state in America." 

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would permit him to dispatch the U.S. military to extinguish violent protests. Abbott said he’s not calling on the president to deploy the armed forces to Texas.

RELATED: President Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act. What is it?

"We will not be asking the U.S. military to come into the state of Texas because we know that Texans can take care of Texans,” Abbott said.

Abbott also said Tuesday he wasn't asked to send Texas National Guard members to the District of Columbia after days of violent demonstrations there has led to fires and the use tear gas and flash bangs, including on peaceful protesters.