President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a sweeping and aggressive directive on social media, declaring that the federal government will not assist Democratic-led cities dealing with protests or unrest unless local leaders explicitly ask for help — and do so politely.
In a nearly 500-word post on Truth Social, Trump said he had instructed Kristi Noem to refrain from intervening in what he described as “poorly run Democrat Cities.”
“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,” Trump wrote.
While distancing the federal government from local unrest, Trump emphasized that federal authorities would aggressively protect government property. He said he had directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Patrol to act “very forcefully” if federal buildings or personnel were threatened.
“There will be no spitting in the faces of our Officers,” Trump wrote. “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.”
Trump also warned state and local governments that protecting both local and federal property is their responsibility, citing past unrest in Los Angeles near the end of the Biden administration. Federal intervention, he said, would come only as a backup — and only if requested.
He pointed to an incident in Eugene, Oregon, claiming that protesters broke into a federal building, caused significant damage, and harassed employees while local police “did nothing” to stop it. Trump said such incidents would no longer be tolerated.
“If Local Governments are unable to handle the Insurrectionists, Agitators, and Anarchists, we will immediately go to the location where such help is requested,” he wrote, adding that federal authorities would “take care of the situation very easily and methodically.”
In a final flourish, Trump told governors and mayors that federal help would be available only if they asked using 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,” Trump wrote.
He concluded by invoking his signature campaign themes, claiming victory on border enforcement and public safety. “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!”
