U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he may use the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces in response to ongoing protests and unrest in Minneapolis, a move that has sparked strong opposition from Minnesota state and city leaders.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is a rarely used federal law that allows a U.S. president to deploy the military or federalize the National Guard inside the country to enforce laws or suppress civil disorder. It can be used even without a request from a state’s governor, making it highly controversial.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he would challenge any attempt to invoke the law in court. He is already suing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over a surge in federal immigration enforcement, which DHS says has resulted in more than 2,000 arrests in the state since early December.
Governor Tim Walz urged the president to de-escalate the situation, calling on him to end what he described as a campaign of retribution and warning that federal actions are inflaming tensions rather than restoring calm.
Protests in Minneapolis intensified after Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on January 7. Demonstrations have since become frequent, with clashes involving tear gas, fireworks, and rock throwing following another officer-involved shooting this week.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city is struggling to maintain order while keeping residents safe, criticizing the presence of a federal force he says is several times larger than the local police department and has left many residents frightened and angry.
The threat to invoke the Insurrection Act marks a significant escalation, raising concerns about the use of military power against civilians and deepening the conflict between federal authorities and Minnesota officials.