President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act against Minnesota if the state doesn’t halt protests targeting ICE agents.
Story Highlights
- Trump posts Insurrection Act threat on Truth Social after violent clashes between protesters and 2,000+ federal ICE agents in Minneapolis
- Two fatal shootings by federal agents sparked protests: Renee Nicole Good killed by ICE agent, another man shot in leg during traffic stop
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz calls situation “chaotic” and demands Trump “turn the temperature down” amid door-to-door raids
- Vice President JD Vance announces ICE operations will “ramp up” with additional 1,000 CBP agents incoming to Minnesota
Trump Issues Ultimatum to Minnesota Officials
Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday declaring he will “institute the INSURRECTION ACT” if Minnesota’s “corrupt politicians” don’t comply with federal immigration operations. The president characterized protesters as “professional agitators and insurrectionists” attacking ICE “Patriots,” framing the conflict as a test of state compliance with federal law enforcement. This threat comes amid intensified clashes between protesters and the thousands of federal agents deployed to Minneapolis for immigration raids.
Watch:
Federal Immigration Raids Trigger Violent Confrontations
Protests erupted after ICE agents fatally shot Renee Nicole Good and wounded another local man in the leg during a traffic stop. Federal operations have expanded to include door-to-door searches, unmarked van detentions, and indiscriminate stops affecting U.S. citizens. Reports describe “armed masked undertrained ICE agents” targeting communities of color, creating what Governor Walz called a “chaotic” situation that demands immediate de-escalation and transparent investigation.
Constitutional Authority and Legal Challenges
The Insurrection Act, dating to 1807, grants presidents broad authority to deploy military forces domestically during rebellions or law enforcement breakdowns. Presidential powers expert Edelson argues no legal basis exists for invocation absent a catastrophic situation, while the Brennan Center emphasizes the Act isn’t a “blank check” and was designed for actual rebellions, not current protests. Legal experts question whether military commanders would comply and note potential congressional or judicial intervention.
Minnesota finds itself at the center of Trump’s expanded immigration agenda, with 2,000-3,000 federal agents already deployed and more incoming. The situation tests the boundaries between federal immigration enforcement and state sovereignty, particularly in Democratic-led states resisting aggressive tactics. This confrontation could establish precedent for federal override of state objections to immigration operations, raising concerns about constitutional limits on executive power.
The escalating tensions in Minneapolis represent a critical moment for constitutional governance and immigration policy. Trump’s willingness to threaten military deployment against protesters defending their communities from aggressive federal raids demonstrates his commitment to immigration enforcement regardless of state opposition. Patriots nationwide watch as this standoff could determine whether states retain meaningful authority to protect their residents from federal overreach or if Trump’s immigration agenda will proceed unchecked by traditional constitutional constraints.
Sources:
Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act over Minnesota ICE protests
