President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he’s ordered the federal government to stay away from riots in “various poorly run Democrat Cities” unless asked for help.
However, he ordered Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem to protect federal buildings from vandals and agitators, he said in a Truth Social post.
"Please be aware that I have instructed ICE and/or Border Patrol to be very forceful in this protection of Federal Government Property," Trump said. "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.”
The post follows unrest in Los Angeles at a federal immigration facility where an unruly crowd vandalized federal equipment and hurled objects at federal employees. Those people protested the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis.
The federal building in Eugene, Oregon, is being boarded up after last night’s anti-ICE riot.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 31, 2026
pic.twitter.com/2OuJ4thjMR
President Trump warns rioters in Democrat cities that ICE and Border Patrol will be “very forceful” in protecting Federal Buildings being attacked by agitators and insurrectionists. pic.twitter.com/Y3KzTnQHhF
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 31, 2026
'DON' WITH IT: President Trump says "poorly run Democrat cities" must ask nicely if they want the federal government to help with rioters, agitators and "insurrectionists" going forward.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 31, 2026
He also says the federal government will protect federal property aggressively, but only as… pic.twitter.com/S19tOpnBPj
President Trump has ordered DHS Secretary Noem and all federal agents to take a very forceful approach against left-wing rioters, effective immediately, following the ambush of a federal building in Oregon. pic.twitter.com/Og7E8y3kPw
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 31, 2026
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy Townhall’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member