President Trump has issued a warning to employ the US military against demonstrators in Minnesota by activating the rarely used Insurrection Act to address the ongoing unrest. The Act permits the President to deploy military forces within the country to quell rebellion or violence, circumventing the authority of state governors and local officials. This move could potentially involve sending National Guard troops from other regions to Minnesota. While the situation in Minnesota may warrant invoking the Act, utilizing the military against American citizens would mark a significant escalation. Past instances of the Act being invoked include its use by George W. Bush during the 1992 LA riots and by Lyndon B Johnson in Detroit amid the civil unrest of the 1960s.
Trump, in a social media post, stated his intention to invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota’s leaders fail to address the unrest caused by alleged agitators and insurrectionists targeting ICE personnel. The President has baselessly labeled protests against ICE operations in Minnesota as “fake” and has accused participants of being “professionals,” aligning with a narrative propagated by his administration suggesting a coordinated effort by “radical leftist” forces. Trump has previously threatened to invoke the Act following protests in Portland and Los Angeles. Despite the Department for Homeland Security reporting over 2,000 arrests in Minnesota since December, criticisms have arisen over the targeting of legally acting protesters.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed the city’s struggle in managing the situation, describing the current circumstances as unsustainable. He criticized the substantial federal presence in Minneapolis, which he deemed an invasion, leading to fear and anger among residents. The President’s warning follows a recent incident where a federal immigration officer shot a Minneapolis man who had attacked the officer, escalating tensions further in the city already reeling from a previous fatal shooting by an ICE agent.
Amid the escalating tensions, clashes ensued between federal officers and protesters in Minneapolis, with tear gas being deployed by law enforcement and protesters responding with rocks and fireworks. Police Chief Brian O’Hara declared the gathering unlawful, urging people to disperse. Subsequently, the situation calmed down, with only a few demonstrators and law enforcement officers remaining at the scene by early Thursday.
Protests have become a common sight in Minneapolis since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent on January 7. Agents have faced confrontations from angry bystanders demanding their departure after incidents involving pulling individuals from their vehicles and homes.