President Trump said Saturday he won’t send feds to quell protests or riots in “poorly run” Democratic cities – unless they specifically ask for help.
Trump warned that the burden was on Democratic-run enclaves to protect federal property and order, and warned them not to allow such lawless acts like spitting on officers.
“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 posted Saturday afternoon.
“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. Please be aware that I have instructed ICE and/or Border Patrol to be very forceful in this protection of Federal Government Property.”
Trump made references to invitations by local authorities, while the administration faces lawsuits in Minneapolis, Chicago and other cities who argued against the insertion of federal forces, including ICE. Trump himself called to de-escalate the situation after Border Patrol agents shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last Saturday.
“If Local Governments are unable to handle the Insurrectionists, Agitators, and Anarchists, we will immediately go to the location where such help is requested, and take care of the situation very easily and methodically,” Trump said.
