President Donald Trump said he instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in protests or unrest in Democratic-led cities unless local officials formally request help, amid criticism of heavy-handed immigration enforcement tactics used by the feds.
“I have instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, that under no circumstances will we participate in several mismanaged Democratic Cities regarding their Protests and/or Riots unless, and until, they ask us for help,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday.
“We will, however, guard, and very strongly, every Federal Building that is being attacked by these highly paid Lunatics, Agitators and Insurrectionists,” he added.
CNN has reached out to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security for more details on Trump’s announcement.
The announcement comes in the wake of the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, which changed the national conversation on immigration enforcement and appears to have led to a change in tone from the White House in recent days.
Trump warned against “spitting in the face of our Officers,” along with attacks on law enforcement vehicles or damage to federal property, and promised “equal consequences, or more,” for those who do. Trump also said that local and state governments are responsible for protecting their own property, along with federal property, with the federal government serving as a backstop.
The president cited an incident in Oregon, where he claimed that protesters entered a federal building, damaged property and harassed employees while local police failed to intervene. “We will not let this happen again!” Trump wrote.
Local officials in Eugene, Oregon, however, disputed the president’s characterization, saying police responded to the incident.
In a statement released Friday evening, the Eugene Police Department said the activity at the federal building was declared a riot and officers ordered people to leave the area after breaches at entry points.
“Some protesters broke the building and went inside. The occupants include civilian personnel,” said the Eugene police. “The presence of Eugene Police is an attempt to keep things de-escalated.”
Trump said that federal assistance would be provided quickly if requested, but that states had to use the word “please.”
“Remember that I stated, in the strongest language, to BEWARE – ICE, Border Patrol or, if necessary, our Military, will be extremely strong and tough in protecting our Federal Property,” Trump wrote.
Trump was also threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act, which gives the president extraordinary powers to send in the military to quell domestic unrest.
The president’s comments come as demonstrations are expected over the weekend and after a nationwide strike in protest of a federal immigration enforcement crackdown on Friday.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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