Trump directs ICE to arrest protesters who attack officers

07/15/2025 / By Belle Carter

President Donald Trump ordered DHS and ICE to aggressively arrest rioters attacking federal officers or damaging government vehicles during protests.
Trump emphasized defending officers from violent assaults (e.g., rock-throwing, vandalism) and restoring “law and order,” citing incidents in cities like Los Angeles, Portland and Houston where federal vehicles were targeted.
ICE and Homeland Security personnel were instructed to stop and detain suspects “using whatever means necessary,” with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and advisor Tom Homan overseeing the crackdown.
The move aligns with Trump’s tough immigration policies, including border troop deployments and past ICE operations targeting violent offenders, while drawing criticism from civil rights groups over potential overreach.
The directive may heighten conflicts in protest-prone cities, with supporters praising it as a public safety measure and opponents warning of inflamed tensions. Federal agents now have a clear mandate to arrest attackers.

President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to aggressively pursue arrests of rioters who assault federal officers or damage government vehicles during protests. The directive, announced via Truth Social, comes after Trump witnessed violent attacks on ICE personnel while traveling from Texas back to Washington, D.C.

The move escalates the administration’s response to clashes between law enforcement and protesters, particularly in cities where anti-ICE demonstrations have turned destructive. Trump urged agents to act decisively, declaring, “AUTHORIZATION IMMEDIATELY GRANTED FOR ARREST AND INCARCERATION.”

In his statement, Trump described watching protesters violently assault ICE vehicles:

“I watched in disbelief as THUGS were violently throwing rocks and bricks at ICE Officers while they were moving down a roadway in their car and/or official vehicle. Tremendous damage was done to these brand new vehicles.”

The president emphasized the toll such attacks take on law enforcement morale, writing: “These Officers are having a hard time with allowing this to happen in that it shows such total disrespect for LAW AND ORDER.”

Incidents in Los Angeles, Portland and Houston have seen rioters targeting federal vehicles with rocks, fireworks and makeshift explosives. A recent arrest in Harris County, Texas, involved a suspect who allegedly damaged an ICE vehicle during an operation.

Trump instructed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Security Advisor Tom Homan to authorize ICE and Homeland Security personnel to detain individuals caught assaulting officers: “Stop their car and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so.”

Homan, who previously led ICE under Trump’s first term, has long advocated for strict immigration enforcement. In past interviews, he dismissed concerns about military involvement in street arrests, clarifying that troops would handle “non-enforcement” duties.

Historical context: Immigration politics and protests

Trump’s latest order builds on his broader immigration agenda, including the deployment of 1,500 troops to the southern border in 2024, a number later expanded to 10,000. The administration has touted arrests of over 300 violent offenders in a single day under ICE operations.

Past clashes, such as the 2020 Portland unrest and attacks on ICE facilities, have shaped the administration’s posture toward protest-related violence. Critics accuse Trump of overreach, while supporters argue federal officers must be protected from mob violence. (Related: New York Times concedes Trump’s warnings on migrant gang violence were accurate amid Aurora chaos.)

Civil rights groups condemned the directive, warning it could lead to excessive force. Meanwhile, conservative lawmakers praised the move as necessary to uphold public safety.

A DHS spokesperson confirmed that agents will comply with federal laws while carrying out arrests. Legal experts note that damaging federal property is already a felony, but Trump’s order appears to fast-track enforcement.

What happens next?

The directive places additional pressure on cities grappling with protest-related vandalism. Observers expect ICE and DHS to prioritize arrests in jurisdictions with frequent clashes, a move that may spark further demonstrations.

Trump’s Truth Social post quickly garnered thousands of responses, reflecting the polarized views on his approach.

The president’s latest action underscores his administration’s commitment to an aggressive law-and-order stance. Whether this deters future violence or inflames tensions remains to be seen. For now, federal officers have a clear mandate: defend themselves and arrest those who dare attack them.

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This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.