President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Saturday that his administration will not participate in managing protests or riots in “poorly run Democrat Cities” unless local officials request federal assistance.
Trump instructed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem that federal forces will focus solely on protecting federal buildings during demonstrations.
The statement comes as protesters held “no work, no school, no shopping” strikes across the country on Friday to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The demonstrations took place amid widespread outrage over the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, by federal agents in Minneapolis this month.
Why It Matters
Trump’s latest announcement establishes new conditions for federal intervention during civil unrest, reigniting tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic-led cities including Chicago, Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis that have persisted since last year.
Saturday’s statement from the president signals a shift in federal-local cooperation during demonstrations, requiring cities to explicitly request assistance while maintaining federal authority over government property. The policy echoes previous conflicts from last year, when the Democratic Mayors Association accused Trump of “declaring war on America’s cities” after he suggested using cities as “training grounds for our military” during a speech at Quantico Marine Corps Base.
What To Know
Trump’s announcement outlined specific parameters for federal involvement in local protests. Federal forces will guard federal buildings but will not assist with state or local property protection unless requested. The president warned against attacks on federal officers or property, stating violators “will suffer an equal, or more, consequence.”
The president emphasized that federal assistance would only be provided if local governments “use the word, ‘PLEASE,'” and warned that ICE, Border Patrol, or military forces would be “extremely powerful and tough” in protecting federal property. He referenced an incident in Eugene, Oregon, where “criminals broke into a Federal Building” while “Local Police did nothing.”
Trump is referring to an incident on Friday in response to an hours-long protest at the Federal Building in downtown Eugene that included windows being reportedly broken at the building.
“The activity at the Federal Building at 211 E. 7th Avenue was declared a riot at approximately 6 p.m. on January 30,” according to a statement from the Eugene Police Department. “People were admonished to leave the area. There were breaches in entry points. Some protesters breached the building and went inside. Occupants include civilian staff.”
Friday’s nationwide protests saw demonstrations across multiple states. In Minneapolis, hundreds gathered at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, with demonstrators jeering at DHS agents. In Michigan, students at Groves High School walked out in zero-degree temperatures. In Los Angeles, thousands marched to a federal detention center where federal agents reportedly deployed chemical sprays.
Some schools in Arizona, Colorado and other states preemptively canceled classes in anticipation of mass absences. Numerous businesses closed for the “blackout,” while others donated proceeds to organizations supporting immigrants.
On Thursday, a student in Nebraska was hit by an SUV flying a Trump flag at a protest outside Fremont High School. The student was hospitalized, though officials didn’t release details on injuries.
The Trump administration’s use of federal forces in cities has been contentious. In 2025, National Guard troops were deployed in Washington, D.C., and federal agents were sent to Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Memphis, Tennessee, as part of what Trump called efforts to “fight the enemy from within.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told NPR at the time that Trump was attempting to “occupy the city and violate the U.S. Constitution.”
President Trump’s Full Truth Social Statement
“I have instructed Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, that under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat Cities with regard to their Protests and/or Riots unless, and until, they ask us for help. We will, however, guard, and very powerfully so, any and all Federal Buildings that are being attacked by these highly paid Lunatics, Agitators, and Insurrectionists. Please be aware that I have instructed ICE and/or Border Patrol to be very forceful in this protection of Federal Government Property. There will be no spitting in the faces of our Officers, there will be no punching or kicking the headlights of our cars, and there will be no rock or brick throwing at our vehicles, or at our Patriot Warriors. If there is, those people will suffer an equal, or more, consequence. In the meantime, by copy of this Statement, I am informing Local Governments, as I did in Los Angeles when they were rioting at the end of the Biden Term, that you must protect your own State and Local Property.
In addition, it is your obligation to also protect our Federal Property, Buildings, Parks, and everything else. We are there to protect Federal Property, only as a back up, in that it is Local and State Responsibility to do so. Last night in Eugene, Oregon, these criminals broke into a Federal Building, and did great damage, also scaring and harassing the hardworking employees. Local Police did nothing in order to stop it. We will not let that happen anymore! 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, just as we did the Los Angeles Riots one year ago, where the Police Chief said that, ‘We couldn’t have done it without the help of the Federal Government.’ Therefore, to all complaining Local Governments, Governors, and Mayors, let us know when you are ready, and we will be there — But, before we do so, you must use the word, ‘PLEASE.’
Remember that I stated, in the strongest of language, to BEWARE — ICE, Border Patrol or, if necessary, our Military, will be extremely powerful and tough in the protection of our Federal Property. We will not allow our Courthouses, Federal Buildings, or anything else under our protection, to be damaged in any way, shape, or form. I was elected on a Policy of Border Control (which has now been perfected!), National Security, and LAW AND ORDER — That’s what America wants, and that’s what America is getting! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
What Happens Next
Protests are expected to continue throughout the country as tensions remain high over immigration enforcement operations.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it’s not “both sides,” it’s sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
Read the full article here
