U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning on Thursday about the potential use of the Insurrection Act to deploy troops amid ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis. The threat came after a federal officer shot a man in Minneapolis on Wednesday following an attack with a shovel and broom handle, intensifying the atmosphere of fear and anger in the city. Trump expressed his intention to implement the INSURRECTION ACT if Minnesota politicians fail to address the violence against ICE agents by agitators and insurrectionists. The incident occurred shortly after an immigration agent fatally shot a woman unrelated to an immigration raid, adding to the tension in the city.
The streets of Minneapolis were enveloped in smoke on Wednesday night near the scene of the recent shooting, where federal officers wearing gas masks and helmets deployed tear gas and grenades against a small group of protesters who retaliated by throwing rocks and shooting fireworks. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara declared the gathering an unlawful assembly, urging people to disperse.
Protests have become a common sight in Minneapolis since the fatal shooting of Renee Good on January 7 during an immigration crackdown that brought thousands of officers to the Twin Cities. The aggressive actions by ICE agents have triggered confrontations with locals demanding their departure. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as unsustainable, highlighting the clash between the federal force, five times larger than the city’s police force, and residents who feel invaded and intimidated.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported over 2,000 arrests in the state since early December and vowed to maintain their operations despite the escalating tensions. Trump has previously threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act during his presidency, notably in response to protests in 2020 following George Floyd’s death and in current discussions regarding deploying troops to Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland due to concerns over violent demonstrations.
If enacted, the Insurrection Act would grant the U.S. military and National Guard the authority to carry out law enforcement duties typically handled by local police. However, the possibility of invoking the act remains contentious, especially following the recent withdrawal of National Guard deployments in cities led by Democratic officials. The last president to invoke the act was George H.W. Bush in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots after the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King.
In a statement detailing the events leading to the recent shooting in Minneapolis, Homeland Security explained that federal officers encountered an individual from Venezuela illegally present in the U.S. who fled the scene, leading to a confrontation where the officer was attacked by multiple individuals. The officer discharged a shot in self-defense, injuring one of the assailants who is now hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting occurred approximately 7.2 kilometers away from the site of Renee Good’s death.
Governor Tim Walz expressed disbelief at the unfolding events in Minnesota, emphasizing that the situation has transcended mere immigration enforcement to become a systematic campaign of brutality against the state’s residents by the federal government. Walz urged residents to document ICE activities to compile evidence of the alleged atrocities for potential future legal action.
Legal battles are ongoing in Minnesota, with a judge granting the Trump administration time to respond to a request to halt the immigration crackdown. State officials argue that the surge of law enforcement violates constitutional rights, including free speech. A decision on the matter is pending, with the possibility of a restraining order against federal actions. Another lawsuit challenges the tactics employed by ICE and federal officers during encounters with protesters and observers, with a ruling expected soon.