Trump Issues Stark Warning Over Minnesota ICE Protests
Former US President Donald Trump issued a direct warning on Thursday, January 15. He stated he would activate the Insurrection Act if people in Minnesota continue to violate the law and target federal immigration agents.
"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Escalating Tensions in Minnesota
Protests have intensified across the region following the recent killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Demonstrators gathered to condemn her death last week. The Trump administration has significantly increased immigration enforcement activities in the area. Authorities deployed thousands of additional agents to conduct arrests.
In a separate incident, a Venezuelan man sustained injuries after a federal immigration agent shot him on Wednesday. Officials confirmed the shooting occurred as the man attempted to flee. The agent fired at his leg, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and the Department of Homeland Security.
Understanding the Insurrection Act
The Insurrection Act of 1807 grants the president authority to deploy military forces for civilian law enforcement within the United States. This action requires specific circumstances to justify its use.
Federal troops normally cannot perform civilian law enforcement duties against US citizens. The law creates an exception during emergencies. It permits soldiers to engage in domestic policing activities like making arrests and conducting searches. These actions typically remain off-limits for military personnel.
The Insurrection Act overrides the Posse Comitatus Act, which usually restricts federal military involvement inside the country. Legal experts anticipate any invocation of the act would face immediate court challenges. A Harvard Kennedy School report highlighted these potential legal hurdles.
Trump's History with the Insurrection Act
President Trump previously threatened to impose the Insurrection Act on two occasions. The first threat came during the 2020 George Floyd protests in his initial term. He issued the second warning in 2025 amid ICE protests in Los Angeles. Reports indicate advisers persuaded him not to proceed both times.
Trump's latest statement follows a recent ICE-involved shooting incident in Minneapolis. This event has further inflamed tensions between protesters and federal authorities.
Historical Use of the Insurrection Act
Fifteen presidents have utilized the Insurrection Act since its creation. During the civil rights movement, presidents employed it when state governors refused to comply with Supreme Court desegregation rulings.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush invoked the act to suppress riots after the Rodney King verdict. California Governor Pete Wilson formally requested federal military assistance at that time. The deployment aimed to restore order during widespread civil unrest.
The act remains a powerful but controversial tool for presidential authority. Its potential use in Minnesota raises significant questions about federal power and civil liberties.
