Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Eugene, Oregon, escalated into violent riots on Friday night, drawing a stern warning from President Donald Trump about deploying additional resources to safeguard federal properties nationwide.

Escalation in Eugene

The demonstration in Eugene, located about 110 miles south of Portland, formed part of the ‘National Shutdown’ initiative, a coordinated effort across the country calling for ICE to withdraw from urban areas. Crowds assembled outside a federal building around noon, displaying signs criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

As evening approached, federal officers intermittently released tear gas and other crowd-control agents to manage the growing assembly. By 9 p.m., the Eugene Police Department classified the event as a riot after some participants forced entry into the federal building, which houses IRS offices and other agencies.

Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner noted the limited presence of federal agents, requiring local officers to intervene and prevent further damage. Tear gas deployment around 10:15 p.m. in the building’s courtyard dispersed most of the crowd. No arrests occurred during the incident.

Images from the scene show demonstrators initially gathered peacefully, but tensions rose as agents used irritants, with one individual in a gas mask assisting another affected by the chemicals.

Trump’s Response

On Saturday afternoon, President Trump labeled the Eugene protesters as ‘highly paid Lunatics, Agitators, and Insurrectionists.’ He directed ICE and Border Patrol to adopt a ‘very forceful’ approach in defending federal assets.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: ‘Last night in Eugene, Oregon, these criminals broke into a Federal Building, and did great damage, also scaring and harassing the hardworking employees. Local Police did nothing in order to stop it. We will not let that happen anymore!’

He further emphasized: ‘There will be no spitting in the faces of our Officers, there will be no punching or kicking the headlights of our cars, and there will be no rock or brick throwing at our vehicles, or at our Patriot Warriors. If there is, those people will suffer an equal, or more, consequence.’

Trump also instructed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold assistance to ‘poorly run Democrat Cities’ facing unrest unless explicitly requested. He added: ‘Therefore, to all complaining Local Governments, Governors, and Mayors, let us know when you are ready, and we will be there – But, before we do so, you must use the word, “PLEASE.”‘

Similar Unrest in Los Angeles

Parallel demonstrations occurred in Los Angeles on Friday, where crowds surrounded a federal prison in downtown. Protesters clashed with police, who formed shield lines before deploying pepper balls and tear gas.

Notable moments included a demonstrator striking an officer’s shield with a skateboard and police firing non-lethal rounds to break up the group. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a dispersal order near Union Station around 9 p.m., giving protesters 10 minutes to leave.

Officers encountered thrown bottles and rocks upon advancing, prompting a tactical alert from LAPD Central Division after federal personnel faced debris. As the evening progressed, authorities arrested individuals described as ‘violent agitators,’ including one accused of using a slingshot to launch metal objects at officers.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed five initial arrests during a Friday press conference, later updated to eight: six for failure to disperse, one for assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, and one for curfew violation. Bass called for peaceful demonstrations, stating: ‘I think the protests are extremely important, but it is equally important for these protests to be peaceful, for vandalism not to take place.’ She added that violence plays into the administration’s narrative.

Broader National Context

These events follow heightened protest activity nationwide, spurred by the fatal shooting of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents earlier this month. Thousands marched in Minneapolis on Friday, chanting ‘Whose streets? Our streets!’

In New York City, large gatherings began in Foley Square, near several federal buildings, reflecting widespread opposition to immigration enforcement tactics.