Trump warns radical left could spark violence if attacks on ICE and conservatives continue
In the Oval Office, the president says the right is tougher and urges rivals not to energize violence after a Dallas ICE facility attack
President Donald Trump warned Thursday that right-wing Americans could fight fire with fire if the radical left continues to attack conservatives and immigration enforcement. Speaking in the Oval Office, he was asked about political violence, including the Wednesday attack on a Dallas ICE facility. He said the radical left is the problem and that they are out of control.
He argued that the situation could deteriorate and that the consequences would eventually be borne by the left, not the right. He said the right is tougher than the left but stressed that it is not engaged in violence and urged opponents not to energize supporters, because it would be bad for the left. He added that he is the president of all the people but placed responsibility on radical left Democrats for the unrest.
Trump's comments were made amidst a broader national debate about political violence and rhetoric, with the Dallas attack cited as a focal point for critics of incendiary political language. The remarks reflect a continued effort by the former president to frame the violence in terms of partisan accountability and to suggest that the rhetoric from opponents feeds more confrontation.
Observers noted that the comments align with Trump's longstanding emphasis on law enforcement and immigration, and they underscored the challenges presidents face when addressing politically charged incidents while avoiding calls for retaliation. The situation highlights the ongoing tension in U.S. politics over how to discuss crime, security, and protest without fueling further conflict.