President Trump has issued a warning to utilize an old law to send military forces to Minnesota amidst protests against ICE. The President mentioned that if local leaders do not intervene in the demonstrations opposing the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota, he will implement the Insurrection Act. This decision follows unrest in the state, triggered by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week.
In a statement on social media, Trump indicated, “If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t follow the law and prevent agitators from attacking ICE personnel who are simply performing their duties, I will invoke the INSURRECTION ACT to swiftly address the ongoing issues in the state.” The Insurrection Act, established in 1807 by President Thomas Jefferson, permits the President to deploy the military for law enforcement, including suppressing domestic disturbances. Trump had previously discussed using this law to combat illegal immigration.
The President’s remarks come after Minnesota filed a lawsuit against his administration, labeling the immigration operation as a “federal invasion” of the region. Additionally, six federal prosecutors in the state resigned in protest against the Justice Department’s refusal to conduct a civil rights investigation into Ms. Good’s shooting.
Trump defended the ICE agent’s actions, referring to Ms. Good as a “domestic terrorist” and justifying the shooting as an act of self-defense. Local officials and protesters strongly dispute this characterization. A video captured the incident, showing ICE agents approaching Ms. Good’s vehicle before shots were fired as she attempted to drive away.
In response to questions regarding labeling Ms. Good a “domestic terrorist,” Trump acknowledged her as a decent person but justified her actions as challenging. He praised ICE agents for their hard work in enforcing immigration laws, despite facing difficulties in carrying out their duties.
Minneapolis officials have expressed discontent with the presence of federal agents in the city, with Mayor Jacob Frey condemning ICE’s actions and demanding their departure. A subsequent incident involving a Venezuelan man being shot by an ICE officer further escalated tensions, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
The situation in Minnesota has escalated due to a crackdown initiated by the Department of Homeland Security concerning allegations of fraud within the Somali community. With over 2,000 ICE agents deployed in the state for what is described as the agency’s largest immigration operation, additional personnel are being sent to address the protests following Ms. Good’s death, according to US Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino.