Kristi Noem’s department told to ‘under no circumstances’ get involved with protests in cities led by Democrats unless they ask for help – key US politics stories from 31 January at a glance
Donald Trump has instructed the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, not to intervene in protests occurring in cities led by Democrats unless local authorities ask for federal help amid mounting criticism of his administration’s immigration crackdown.
On his social media site, Trump posted 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”.
He provided no further details on how his order would affect operations by US Customs and Immigration Enforcement and DHS personnel, or other federal agencies, but added: “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.”
Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, has ordered Chicago police to investigate and document alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents in the city, a move that will escalate tensions over jurisdiction between local and federal authorities.
