Trump Issues Stark Warning Over Minnesota Unrest Following Federal Agent Shooting
US President Donald Trump made a serious threat early on Thursday. He said he might use the Insurrection Act. This came after another shooting involving a federal agent happened overnight in Minnesota.
"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of ICE, 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 wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Shooting Incident Fuels Fresh Protests in Minneapolis
Trump's post appeared just hours after a federal agent shot and injured a Venezuelan man on Wednesday evening. This incident took place in Minneapolis. It immediately sparked a new wave of protests across the city.
The shooting made tensions much worse. Minneapolis was already on edge. Earlier this month, an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good. That previous incident had already created a volatile atmosphere.
According to estimates from The New York Times, at least 200 protesters gathered on Wednesday night. They assembled near the scene of this most recent shooting.
Violent Clashes Erupt Between Protesters and Law Enforcement
Video footage from overnight showed protesters taunting officers. They threw rocks and other objects at law enforcement personnel. Gas clouds filled the streets as the confrontation intensified.
Officers wearing gas masks and helmets responded forcefully. They fired tear gas and flash grenades in the direction of the protesters. The Associated Press reported these details from the chaotic scene.
Understanding the Insurrection Act
What exactly is the Insurrection Act? This is a federal law that was originally passed way back in 1792. It allows the President to deploy military forces within the United States under certain specific circumstances.
The act authorizes federal intervention when state authorities prove unable or unwilling to enforce the law. It also applies when state authorities cannot or will not suppress a rebellion.
The Insurrection Act works alongside another important law called the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. That act generally prohibits the military from engaging in domestic law enforcement activities. However, specific exceptions exist. The provisions outlined in the Insurrection Act represent one of those key exceptions.
