U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces in Minnesota. The threat follows escalating protests against a surge of federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, where tensions have peaked after two recent shootings by federal officers.
The latest unrest was triggered on Wednesday when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot a Venezuelan man during a traffic stop. This follows the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, by an ICE agent eight days ago.
Writing on social media, President Trump accused Minnesota leaders of failing to stop "professional agitators and insurrectionists." "If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law... I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT," the President stated. The 1807 law allows a president to bypass statutes that normally prohibit the military from engaging in domestic law enforcement.
The administration has deployed nearly 3,000 federal officers to the Twin Cities. Residents report masked agents in military gear conducting door-to-door checks and pulling people from vehicles.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the ICE presence as a "disgusting and intolerable invasion." Meanwhile, Governor Tim Walz has urged protesters to remain peaceful while accusing the federal government of "organized brutality" against Minnesotans.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s office has sued the Trump administration, alleging the surge violates residents' constitutional rights and involves racial profiling.
U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez has ordered the administration to respond to the state's complaints by Monday.
Trump’s previous attempt to federalize National Guard troops in Los Angeles was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in December 2025.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey highlights a sharp partisan divide: 59% of Republicans favor prioritizing arrests even if individuals are harmed, while 39% believe officers should prioritize reducing harm even if it results in fewer arrests.
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