Trump's DHS Order Limits Federal Involvement in Protests

Editorial board says directive affirms restraint on federal power during unrest

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Baltimore Sun editorial board argues that President Donald Trump's directive limiting Department of Homeland Security involvement in protests, unless requested by state leaders or when federal property is threatened, is a positive development that affirms an important restraint on federal power. The editorial states that clear lines of authority reduce violence, while federal law enforcement deployed without coordination or consent risks being viewed through a partisan lens, undermining confidence in the neutrality of federal institutions.

Why it matters

The editorial highlights the importance of respecting constitutional boundaries and emphasizes that de-escalation depends on cooperation, not command, and support, not substitution. It argues that the goal should be to preserve trust, as without trust, peace is temporary and violence returns.

The details

The editorial board argues that at moments of protest and volatility, public trust depends on clarity about who is responsible, accountable, and answering to the people on the ground. It states that the decision to request federal assistance should rest solely with state and local officials, except in rare crises or when federal property or personnel are directly threatened. The board contends that local and state leaders are elected by and answerable to the communities experiencing unrest, and they understand local tensions, histories, and fault lines in ways federal agencies cannot. When federal forces arrive uninvited, they risk being perceived as occupiers, rather than stabilizers, which can intensify demonstrations, deepen mistrust, and blur lines of responsibility.

  • The editorial was published on February 7, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who issued the directive limiting Department of Homeland Security involvement in protests.

Baltimore Sun Editorial Board

The editorial board of the Baltimore Sun newspaper that authored the opinion piece.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“President Donald Trump's directive limiting Department of Homeland Security involvement in protests — unless requested by state leaders or when federal property is threatened — is a positive development that affirms an important restraint on federal power.”

— Baltimore Sun Editorial Board (The Baltimore Sun)

The takeaway

This editorial emphasizes the importance of respecting constitutional boundaries and maintaining clear lines of authority during times of protest and unrest. It argues that federal involvement should be limited to when it is requested by state and local leaders or when federal property is directly threatened, in order to preserve public trust and avoid escalating tensions.