U.S. President Donald Trump ordered on Saturday to withdraw the presence of federal agents at demonstrations in Minneapolis (Minnesota) and other Democratic cities, but promised that they will continue to defend facilities owned by the federal government.
The President’s order comes in the wake of national outrage over the shooting deaths of two protesters by federal agents during protests against immigration raids in Minneapolis.
Trump orders federal agents out of Minneapolis
“I have instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that under no circumstances will we participate in protests or riots in various mismanaged Democratic cities unless we are asked to help,” he announced on the Truth Social network.
The president, therefore, leaves it up to state and local governments to ensure security during protests and to respond to possible disturbances.
He added, however, that federal agents will protect “with great firmness, all federal buildings under attack by these lunatics, agitators and paid insurgents.”
“No spitting in the face of our officers will be allowed, no punches or kicks will be thrown at the headlights of our vehicles, no rocks or bricks will be thrown at our vehicles or our Patriot Warriors. If so, those individuals will suffer equal or greater consequences,” he warned.
The Trump administration launched last December the so-called ‘Metro Surge’ operation, a set of operations to arrest undocumented migrants in Minnesota, a state governed by Democrats.
The aggressive raids have been opposed by local authorities and thousands of demonstrators, who have protested over the past few weeks to demand the departure of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the state.
During the protests, immigration agents shot and killed two protesters, Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both 37 years old and U.S. nationals, which has sparked outrage across the country.
In the face of rising tensions, Trump this week relieved the operational command and sent his border czar, Tom Homan, to the area in search of a “de-escalation,” although he has promised that the raids will continue.
Filed under: Trump orders out agents Minneapolis
With information from EFE
