Trump considers invoking Insurrection Act in Minnesota amid tensions

US President Donald Trump has issued a warning that he may invoke the Insurrection Act if officials fail to quell protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota. The threat was made on social media, with Trump stating that he would deploy US troops to the state if necessary.

The protests have grown following two recent shootings involving federal immigration authorities, including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Governor Tim Walz, and members of Congress from the state have pushed back against accusations that they are provoking protesters against ICE.

In response to Trump’s warning, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the decision to invoke the Insurrection Act would be made by the president alone. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem also confirmed that she had discussed the possibility with the president.

The Insurrection Act is a law from 1807 that allows a US president to deploy federal military troops inside the country to restore order and enforce the law. It has been used 30 times in US history, including during school desegregation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s.

Trump’s threat comes after he criticized Democrats for allegedly encouraging violence against federal law enforcement officers. The Trump administration has accused elected officials of using their platforms to provoke protesters against ICE, while Democrats have accused the agency of sowing chaos and violence in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has urged President Trump to dial back his rhetoric and reduce tensions in the state. The Insurrection Act is a tool that can be used in extreme situations where normal law enforcement has broken down, according to legal experts.

Source: Al Jazeera