US President Donald Trump has directed the Depament of Homeland Security (DHS) to refrain from intervening in protests occurring in cities led by Democratic officials, as nationwide demonstrations against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensify.
National Shutdown Sparks Clashes Nationwide
The “National Shutdown” initiative launched on Friday, encouraging paicipants to skip work, school, and shopping to demand an end to immigration raids. In Los Angeles, tensions boiled over into violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, culminating in demonstrators seizing control of an ICE facility. A comparable breach occurred in Eugene, Oregon, where activists entered a federal building and refused to vacate the premises.
Trump’s Directive on Federal Involvement
In a statement posted on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump announced that he had ordered DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to avoid engagement in protests or riots within Democrat-controlled cities unless those local governments explicitly request assistance.
“We will, however, guard, and very powerfully so, any and all Federal Buildings that are being attacked,” Trump emphasized. He fuher specified that ICE and Border Patrol agents must act decisively to safeguard federal propeies.
Trump stressed that state and local authorities bear the main duty for securing both public and federal assets, positioning the federal response as a secondary measure. “If local governments are unable to handle the Insurrectionists, Agitators, and Anarchists, we will immediately go to the location where such help is requested and take care of the situation very easily and methodically,” he stated, adding that federal agencies, and potentially the military if required, would intervene robustly against threats to federal sites.
Protests Fueled by Recent Fatal Incidents
The current surge in demonstrations stems from widespread anger over the deaths of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, killed by federal agents during enforcement actions in Minneapolis earlier this week.
US House Democrats have demanded Noem’s immediate dismissal, insisting that the ongoing violence requires swift resolution. Trump countered by praising the DHS secretary, asseing that criticism against her arises solely because she has performed exceptionally well in her role.
