President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act—a rarely used federal law that allows deployment of U.S. military forces on American soil—to “put an end” to ongoing protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, federal and local officials said Thursday.
The announcement comes as unrest surged after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a Minneapolis woman and, in a separate incident, wounded a man during an enforcement operation. Critics say the shootings have inflamed tensions, while the administration says the actions were in self‑defense.
What the President Said and Why It Matters
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump accused “professional agitators” of exploiting the protests and said Minnesota leaders have failed to maintain order. He warned that if the state does not curb what he called attacks on federal officers, he would authorize military action under the Insurrection Act to support civil enforcement.
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The Insurrection Act, passed in 1807, gives a president authority to deploy troops domestically in cases of rebellion or when the execution of federal law is obstructed. Its invocation would mark one of the most significant uses of domestic military power in modern U.S. history.
Protests and Federal Response
Protests in Minneapolis have grown over the week, with demonstrators demanding accountability and sweeping changes to immigration enforcement practices. Federal agents, including ICE and Department of Homeland Security personnel, have been operating in the region under a broad enforcement initiative that has drawn sharp criticism from city and state officials.
Local leaders have condemned the federal presence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as “unsustainable” and criticized the aggressive tactics used by federal agents. Meanwhile, state government officials have launched legal challenges, arguing that the federal response violates constitutional rights and civil liberties.
State vs. Federal Tensions Escalate
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has authorized preparation of the state National Guard and publicly opposed federal military intervention. He warned residents not to let the situation escalate into a justification for federal troop deployment, urging calm and constitutional protections for protestors.
The governor’s stance has been echoed in court filings as Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, pursues litigation against the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, asserting that federal actions have overstepped legal boundaries.
Legal and Political Implications
The potential invocation of the Insurrection Act has sparked debate among legal scholars and political leaders. Some Republicans have urged Trump to take decisive action, while civil liberties advocates warn that deploying troops against protestors could undermine constitutional protections and escalate violence.
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As the situation unfolds, Pentagon support remains limited to legal and support personnel, and no official troop deployments have yet been confirmed under the act itself.
What Happens Next
Officials on all sides are watching closely. Trump’s threat raises questions about executive power, the future of federal‑state relations, and the balance between public order and civil liberties. A final decision on whether to invoke the Insurrection Act could come as early as the next few days, depending on developments in Minneapolis and responses from Minnesota’s political leadership.
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