Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act in Minnesota Amid Anti-ICE Protests
Former US president Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to escalating protests in Minnesota, raising the prospect of federal troops being deployed to quell unrest linked to immigration enforcement.
The warning followed several days of demonstrations in Minnesota, centred on Minneapolis, where protesters have gathered outside federal buildings to oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Tensions have increased after confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, with reports of property damage and injuries adding to concerns over public safety.
Trump said the federal government would step in if state and local authorities were unable to restore order, citing the Insurrection Act of 1807. The law allows a president to deploy active-duty military forces domestically in cases of rebellion, insurrection, or when civil authorities are deemed unable to enforce federal law. Its use is rare and controversial, most recently invoked during the civil rights era.
Minnesota officials have urged restraint, emphasising that local and state law enforcement remain in control of the situation. The state’s governor and Minneapolis city leaders have called for calm while defending the right to peaceful protest, warning that federal military involvement could further inflame tensions.
Civil liberties groups have raised concerns that invoking the Insurrection Act would set a significant precedent, potentially blurring the line between civilian law enforcement and the military. Legal experts note that while the president has broad authority under the act, its application in protest situations has historically faced strong political and legal scrutiny.
The White House has not confirmed whether formal steps toward invoking the law are underway, but the comments have already intensified debate over federal power, immigration enforcement, and the handling of domestic unrest. As protests continue, attention remains focused on whether the threat will translate into action or remain a warning aimed at deterring further escalation.
