The Pentagon has issued an alert for approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers to potentially deploy to Minnesota in response to escalating unrest.
The Washington Post reported on Sunday that two battalions from the 11th Airborne Division, stationed in Alaska, are on standby to intervene in Minnesota. However, their exact role in the state remains uncertain.
Defense officials informed CNN that these forces could be tasked with crowd control or providing support to law enforcement during ongoing protests.
Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, criticized the idea of bringing active-duty soldiers to Minnesota for immigration enforcement as absurd and unconstitutional.
Frey urged demonstrators to remain peaceful to avoid giving the president a reason to deploy the U.S. military.
Protests in Minnesota have intensified following the death of Renee Good, with tensions rising over ICE's actions.
Insurrection Act and Federal Troop Deployment
Last Thursday, President Trump threatened to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act, suggesting a federal troop deployment to Minneapolis to quell protests sparked by recent ICE-related shootings.
Trump's warning came a day after an immigration officer shot and injured a man who allegedly attacked him with a shovel and broomstick, further escalating tensions in a city still reeling from Renee Good's shooting on January 7.
"Should the corrupt politicians of Minnesota fail to enforce the law and halt these agitators and insurrectionists attacking our ICE patriots, I will invoke the Insurrection Act, just as many presidents before me have done, and swiftly put an end to this disgrace," Trump stated on social media.
The Insurrection Act permits the president to deploy armed forces or federalize the National Guard to restore domestic order.
Its last application was in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots, following local authorities' request.
The Associated Press reported that Minnesota's Attorney General Keith Ellison plans to challenge any federal attempt to send troops to the city and has already filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security over increased raids and interventions.
"We will go to court if they attempt to impose military measures," Ellison declared.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, directly addressed Trump's statement. "I urge the president to de-escalate. This campaign of retaliation does not reflect who we are as a nation," Walz stated.
Meanwhile, protests persist in Minneapolis. On Wednesday night, confrontations occurred between demonstrators and federal agents near the scene of the latest shooting.
Officers, equipped with gas masks and helmets, launched tear gas while protesters retaliated with rocks and fireworks.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as "untenable" and criticized the scale of the federal operation.
"We're facing a force five times larger than our local police. Residents are frightened and outraged," Frey said.
Controversial ICE Operations
The Department of Homeland Security reported that the latest shooting took place when agents attempted to apprehend a Venezuelan driver residing illegally in the U.S.
After fleeing and crashing his vehicle, the man was pursued by officers and shot in the leg when, according to authorities, three individuals attacked him simultaneously.
ICE agent Jonathan Ross, involved in Renee Good's death, remains under investigation and is recovering from internal injuries sustained during that encounter, according to a Department of Homeland Security official.
Good was killed when three agents surrounded her vehicle during a residential neighborhood operation. A bystander's video captures Ross aiming and firing at close range as the car begins to move.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage and protests, echoing through Minneapolis.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem defended the agent's actions, claiming self-defense after being struck by the vehicle, a narrative disputed by Minnesota authorities.
Renee Good's family has retained the same law firm that represented George Floyd's family in 2020 and announced a lawsuit against the federal government for excessive force.
Understanding the Insurrection Act and Its Implications
What is the Insurrection Act?
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is a federal law that allows the U.S. president to deploy military forces within the country to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, or rebellion.
Has the Insurrection Act been used recently?
The most recent use of the Insurrection Act was in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots, when President George H. W. Bush invoked it at the request of local authorities.
Why are there protests in Minnesota?
Protests in Minnesota have intensified due to the actions of ICE agents, particularly after the shooting of Renee Good by a federal officer, and have been fueled by broader concerns over excessive force and immigration enforcement.