Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 16: US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the 19th-century Insurrection Act in response to rising tensions between protesters and federal personnel in Minneapolis. Trump posted on Truth Social that if Minnesota politicians “don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists,” he would “quickly put an end to the travesty” occurring in the state.
The warning came after a federal officer shot a man in the leg during a traffic stop on Wednesday, escalating protests following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer earlier this month. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed she had discussed the possibility of using the Insurrection Act with Trump, noting he “certainly has the constitutional authority to utilize that.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) described Minnesota as “out of control,” citing local leaders’ perceived encouragement of violence. The Insurrection Act allows a president to deploy the military for domestic law enforcement without congressional approval, including federalizing the National Guard, though it is rarely used. The last invocation was by President George H.W. Bush during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, strongly opposed Trump’s threat. Walz said the presence of ICE officers had become “a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota,” while Frey called for the removal of federal troops beyond the 3,000 already deployed, stressing the need for local law enforcement to focus on public safety.
The escalation follows Trump-aligned criticism of Somali immigrants and local Democrats over alleged day care fraud, though investigations found the facilities in compliance. Last month, the Trump administration ended temporary protected status for Somali nationals, requiring them to leave the U.S. by March 17.
Trump has also repeatedly attacked Governor Walz, accusing him of incompetence and linking him to Somali fraudsters, while Walz recently announced he would not seek a third term, citing the need to focus on governing rather than political distractions.