WASHINGTON – In a recent statement, President Donald Trump declared that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been instructed to refrain from intervening in protests taking place in Democrat-led cities unless local officials specifically request federal assistance. This decision follows increasing criticism of the administration’s aggressive immigration policies.

Trump took to social media to clarify his stance, stating, “We will not engage in action in Democrat-run cities concerning their protests or riots unless they explicitly ask for our help.”

While the president did not elaborate on the implications for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement or other federal agencies, he emphasized, “We will robustly protect any Federal Buildings under attack by paid agitators and insurrectionists.”

In addition to his directives to Noem, Trump mentioned that he has instructed ICE and Border Patrol to aggressively safeguard federal property.

The administration has previously deployed the National Guard and federal law enforcement in various Democratic cities, including Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon. However, this recent directive comes amid growing opposition to such measures, especially in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Officials in Minnesota, such as Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, have opposed the federal immigration enforcement efforts, arguing that they infringe upon constitutional rights.

A federal judge says she won’t halt enforcement operations as the lawsuit proceeds. State and local officials had sought a quick order to halt the enforcement action or limit its scope. Justice Department lawyers have called the lawsuit “legally frivolous.”

The state, particularly Minneapolis, has been on edge after federal officers fatally shot two people in the city: Renee Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest the federal action in Minnesota and across the country.

Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has suggested the administration could reduce the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota — but only if state and local officials cooperate. Trump sent Homan to Minneapolis following the killings of Good and Pretti, seeming to signal a willingness to ease tensions in Minnesota.