Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democrat-Led Cities Without Federal Request By Solange Reyner | Saturday, 31 January 2026 04:23 PM EST
President Donald Trump said he has directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to keep the federal government from intervening in protests or riots in Democrat-led cities unless local officials request help, while ordering a strong federal response to protect federal property.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump said the administration "under no circumstances" would participate in handling unrest in "poorly run Democrat Cities" unless state or local governments ask for assistance.
He added that federal authorities will "guard, and very powerfully so, any and all Federal Buildings" that come under attack.
Trump said he has instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol to be "very forceful" in protecting federal government property, warning that people who assault officers or damage federal vehicles will face severe consequences.
"There will be no spitting in the faces of our Officers," Trump said, adding that the administration would not tolerate attacks such as "rock or brick throwing" at law enforcement vehicles.
"If there is, those people will suffer an equal, or more, consequence," he said.
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https://www.newsmax.com/politics/donald-trump-dhs-protests/2026/01/31/id/1244360/
