The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Saturday that it is monitoring “attacks on DHS detention facilities” in Texas and Oregon, warning that the Trump administration has “zero tolerance” for such assaults.
Newsweek reached out to the DOJ and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by email on Saturday outside of normal business hours for comment.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration has highlighted attacks and violence against federal personnel and buildings as it ramps up its mass deportation operations. Protests against mass deportation operations have, at times, turned violent, such as during the Los Angeles anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in June. In response, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the city, which local elected officials objected with.
In a memo issued alongside the deployment, the White House argued that “violent protests threaten the security of and significant damage to federal immigration detention facilities and other federal property” remained a significant concern.
What To Know
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday that the department is monitoring attacks on detention facilities in Prairieland, Texas, and Portland, Oregon.
Blanche wrote that the DOJ is “coordinating with the USAOs [United States Attorney’s Office] and our law enforcement partners.”
“The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full weight of the law against those responsible,” Blanche wrote.
He did not explain the nature of the attacks, nor when they occurred, although comments under his post claimed that these attacks have happened “for a month” without action from the administration.
We are closely monitoring the attacks on DHS detention facilities in Prairieland, TX, and Portland, OR, and are coordinating with the USAOs and our law enforcement partners. The Department has zero tolerance for assaults on federal officers or property and will bring the full…
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) July 5, 2025
However, DHS posted on X shortly afterwards and wrote: “Threats or acts of violence toward law enforcement officers will NOT be tolerated. Secretary Noem has made it clear: If you threaten or attempt to harm a law enforcement officer, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Two photos accompanied the post from DHS—one showed a car defaced with spray paint that spelled out “Ice Pig,” while the other showed “F— ICE” spraypainted on the door of a non-descript building.
In May, DHS claimed that attacks on ICE officers have increased over 400 percent, bumping that number to 500 percent in June and 700 percent at the start of July. On Tuesday, Fox News‘ Bill Melugin clarified that the 700 percent means that 10 assaults in 2024 rose to 79 assaults in 2025.
“NEW: DHS tells [Fox News] that assaults against ICE/federal agents conducting immigration enforcement are now up nearly 700% over the same time last year. I asked DHS for the underlying raw data: 1/21/2024 – 6/30/2024 10 assaults; 1/21/2025 – 6/30/2025 79 assaults; 690% increase,” he wrote.
What People Are Saying
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this week wrote on X: “Our heroic ICE law enforcement officers are facing a nearly 700% increase in assaults against them. If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, this administration will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
President Donald Trump in June wrote in response to the LA protests: “IF THEY SPIT, WE WILL HIT, and I promise you they will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!”
What Happens Next?
ICE and DHS will continue to carry out Trump’s deportation efforts, and DOJ will look to prosecute those who engage in violent protests against federal agents carrying out their orders.
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