President Trump directs federal agents to avoid participating in city protests

US President Issues Directive on Department of Homeland Security’s Role in Protests

President Donald Trump has instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to refrain from intervening in protests in cities governed by Democrats unless requested for assistance. The directive was announced on Saturday, following weeks of demonstrations sparked by a significant deployment of Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minneapolis.

The announcement comes after two US citizens were killed by federal agents in the city, with Trump stating that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been instructed not to participate in protests “unless, and until, they ask for help.” However, ICE and Border Patrol will continue to take measures to protect federal buildings.

Trump’s statement also emphasized the need to maintain order, warning of consequences for those who engage in violent behavior against federal officers. The directive is part of a larger effort by Trump to implement immigration crackdowns in cities governed by Democrats, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland.

The Minneapolis operation, which began in November, has seen 3,000 agents deployed and has been the subject of daily clashes between activists and immigration officers. A federal judge has ruled that DHS is not violating constitutional protections, despite a lawsuit challenging the enforcement surge.

Thousands of people took to the streets on Friday to demand the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota, with local officials arguing that DHS’s actions are unconstitutional. The Trump administration has shifted its approach, with border tsar Tom Homan taking over as the lead official in Minneapolis and emphasizing targeted operations rather than broad sweeps.

Source: Al Jazeera