Trump says feds won't intervene during protests in Democratic-led cities unless asked to do so

"President Donald Trump said Saturday that he has instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in protests occurring in cities led by Democrats unless local authorities ask for federal help amid mounting criticism of his administration's immigration crackdown. On his social media site, Trump posted 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."

"He provided no further details on how his order would affect operations by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement and DHS personnel, or other federal agencies, but added: 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. Trump said that in addition to his instructions to Noem he had directed ICE and/or Border Patrol to be very forceful in this protection of Federal Government Property."

"The Trump administration has already deployed the National Guard, or federal law enforcement officials, in a number of Democratic areas, including Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Oregon. But Saturday's order comes as opposition to such tactics has grown, particularly in Minnesota's Twin Cities region. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul have challenged a federal immigration enforcement surge in those cities, arguing that DHS is violating constitutional protections."

President Donald Trump instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in protests occurring in cities led by Democrats unless local authorities request federal help. The post on his social media site stated federal forces will not participate in "poorly run Democrat Cities" unless asked, while pledging to guard federal buildings "very powerfully" against attackers. The instruction provided no operational details for ICE, DHS personnel, or other federal agencies. The administration has deployed the National Guard or federal law enforcement in multiple Democratic areas. Minnesota officials challenged a federal immigration enforcement surge as violating constitutional protections, while a judge refused to halt operations.

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