Trump Threatens Military Force in Minneapolis Amid Escalating ICE Protests
Former US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Thursday. He threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy military forces in Minneapolis. This move escalates a volatile standoff between federal authorities, local officials, and protesters. The unrest is tied directly to aggressive immigration enforcement operations.
A Direct Threat on Social Media
Trump delivered his warning in a post on Truth Social. The statement has sharpened national anxieties about using troops on American streets. It raises questions about the expanding role of the military in domestic affairs. "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," Trump wrote.
He referred to the 1807 law that allows presidents to deploy troops domestically to suppress unrest. This threat follows days of intense protests in Minneapolis. The demonstrations are linked to "Operation Midway Blitz," the administration's aggressive immigration crackdown.
Protests Sparked by Fatal Shooting
The operation has sent thousands of heavily armed, masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into the city. Demonstrations began last week after an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. The shooting occurred as she tried to pull away in her car during an attempted arrest.
Tensions flared again on Wednesday. Federal agents shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during a traffic stop. Authorities said he resisted arrest and assaulted an officer with a shovel and a broom. Following that incident, crowds gathered near the scene. Clashes erupted as federal agents used tear gas, pepper balls, and flash-bang grenades to disperse demonstrators. Smoke drifted through downtown streets while helicopters hovered overhead.
National Debate Over Militarization
Trump's renewed invocation of the Insurrection Act has intensified a broader national debate. Critics argue the presence of heavily armed federal agents in tactical gear blurs the line between civilian policing and military operations. This unease has reached some of Trump's own supporters.
Joe Rogan, the country's top podcaster who endorsed Trump in the 2024 election, questioned ICE tactics on his show. He compared them to "the Gestapo" and asked, "Are we really going to be the Gestapo? 'Where’s your papers?' Is that what we’ve come to?" Rogan said he was disturbed by reports of "militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up," including US citizens without identification.
Reports of Heavy-Handed Tactics Surface Nationwide
Reports and videos of ICE's incendiary methods are surfacing across the country:
- In Los Angeles, civil rights groups allege ICE agents smashed car windows and detained people based on perceived race or ethnicity.
- In Chicago, agents deployed tear gas near schools and hospitals. They briefly handcuffed a local alderwoman who challenged their actions.
- Even US citizens are being rounded up. In one incident, three members of the Oglala Sioux tribe were detained in Minneapolis.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other watchdogs have documented claims of racial profiling, unlawful detentions of citizens, and the use of solitary confinement in ICE facilities.
Administration Defends Its Actions
The administration and its allies reject accusations of systemic abuse. The Department of Homeland Security described the Minneapolis shooting as an act of self-defense during an "ambush." Trump supporters argue that protests have impeded lawful enforcement. They maintain that ICE agents are operating within their legal authority to detain individuals with criminal records or outstanding immigration violations.
Legal Challenges and Rising Stakes
Democratic-led states including Minnesota and Illinois are pursuing lawsuits. They accuse the administration of fostering fear and violating constitutional rights. The confrontation shows little sign of easing. Minnesota officials continue to call for restraint.
However, Trump's threat to deploy troops has raised the stakes dramatically. It underscores deep divisions over immigration policy, federal power, and civil liberties. The situation fuels growing disquiet across the country. Many fear how far the government is willing to go to enforce the law. Some express concern that Trump is preparing grounds for the imposition of Martial Law.
