President Trump has threatened to deploy federal troops to Minneapolis, citing the Insurrection Act, in an effort to quell ongoing protests over a recent immigration-related shooting. The threat comes as tensions between protesters and federal agents escalate, with many residents feeling overwhelmed by the massive federal presence.
Trump's social media post accused local officials of failing to control "professional agitators and insurrectionists," prompting him to invoke the Insurrection Act. This law, rarely used in recent history, would allow for the deployment of federal troops or the federalization of the National Guard for domestic law enforcement purposes. Trump suggested that he would use this power to quickly end what he called a "travesty" in Minneapolis.
The threat has drawn criticism from local officials and community leaders, who argue that the situation is spiraling out of control and that further escalation would only deepen the crisis. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the federal presence as an "invasion," noting that it is five times larger than his city's 600-officer police department.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has also condemned the federal operation, calling it a "campaign of organized brutality." He warned that further escalation would only deepen the crisis and urged President Trump to lower the temperature. Walz encouraged Minnesotans to continue voicing their opposition peacefully.
The Insurrection Act has been invoked more than two dozen times in U.S. history, most recently by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 to end unrest in Los Angeles. However, its use is highly contentious, and any attempt to invoke it would likely face immediate legal challenge.
Meanwhile, federal officials have continued to carry out immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, despite mounting criticism from state and local leaders. The events in Minneapolis have also been felt in Michigan, where residents and advocacy groups are organizing protests and neighborhood alerts tied to ICE activity.
Trump's social media post accused local officials of failing to control "professional agitators and insurrectionists," prompting him to invoke the Insurrection Act. This law, rarely used in recent history, would allow for the deployment of federal troops or the federalization of the National Guard for domestic law enforcement purposes. Trump suggested that he would use this power to quickly end what he called a "travesty" in Minneapolis.
The threat has drawn criticism from local officials and community leaders, who argue that the situation is spiraling out of control and that further escalation would only deepen the crisis. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the federal presence as an "invasion," noting that it is five times larger than his city's 600-officer police department.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has also condemned the federal operation, calling it a "campaign of organized brutality." He warned that further escalation would only deepen the crisis and urged President Trump to lower the temperature. Walz encouraged Minnesotans to continue voicing their opposition peacefully.
The Insurrection Act has been invoked more than two dozen times in U.S. history, most recently by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 to end unrest in Los Angeles. However, its use is highly contentious, and any attempt to invoke it would likely face immediate legal challenge.
Meanwhile, federal officials have continued to carry out immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, despite mounting criticism from state and local leaders. The events in Minneapolis have also been felt in Michigan, where residents and advocacy groups are organizing protests and neighborhood alerts tied to ICE activity.