US President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act to quell unrest over federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
This threat follows a night of protests and vandalism in the city after an ICE agent shot a man in the leg during a confrontation triggered by the agency's activities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that an ICE officer opened fire after being attacked by three individuals wielding a shovel and a broom handle.
Following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, by an ICE agent last week, tensions in Minneapolis have significantly escalated, leading to nationwide demonstrations against federal immigration actions.
Trump took to Truth Social, stating he would deploy troops if Minnesota officials were unable to control what he termed 'professional agitators and insurrectionists.'
The potential invocation of the Insurrection Act, a law allowing for active-duty military deployment within the US for law enforcement, marks a continuation of Trump's aggressive stance on immigration issues.
Protests turned violent on Wednesday night as demonstrators clashed with police, leading to property damage and injuries. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has voiced concerns over the sustainability of the current situation and demanded that ICE remove their presence in the city.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the shooting was a defensive response to what she described as an ambush on law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, a significant number of federal officers have been deployed to the area, and the FBI has offered rewards for information regarding those responsible for property damage during the protests.
The situation illustrates a deepening divide and unrest surrounding immigration policies as federal, state, and local officials navigate the contentious landscape of law enforcement and community safety.
