Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning, threatening to deploy federal troops to Minneapolis, Minnesota, if state officials fail to control ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Trump's Social Media Ultimatum
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Trump labelled the demonstrators as "professional agitators and insurrectionists." He accused Minnesota's political leaders of failing to protect ICE agents performing their duties.
"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, 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.
Violent Incidents Spark Tensions
The former president's threat follows a series of violent clashes involving federal immigration officers in the city. Last week, an ICE officer shot and killed a protester named Renee Good. In a separate incident on Wednesday night, a federal agent shot and injured a man during an attempted arrest.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the injured man was shot in the leg after resisting arrest. The agency stated that during the struggle, two individuals came from a nearby apartment and assaulted the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle. This led the officer to fire what DHS called a "defensive shot" out of fear for his life.
Local Leaders Condemn Federal Presence
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have strongly criticized the federal presence, arguing that ICE operations are inflaming local tensions. After both shootings, state and city officials renewed their demands for federal immigration officers to leave Minneapolis immediately.
"The City of Minneapolis again demands that ICE leave the city and state immediately," the city said in an official statement. "We stand by our immigrant and refugee communities and affirm our full support."
Understanding the Insurrection Act
The Insurrection Act of 1807 grants the US president the authority to deploy the military and federalize National Guard units within the country. This power can be used to suppress rebellion, domestic violence, or enforce federal law under extreme circumstances. The act provides a key exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally bars the military from domestic law enforcement.
It is important to note that the Insurrection Act allows the military to assist civilian authorities, not completely replace them, which distinguishes it from martial law.
The law has been invoked roughly 30 times in American history. Its most recent use was in 1992 when President George H.W. Bush sent troops to Los Angeles to quell riots after the Rodney King verdict. It was also frequently used during the civil rights era to enforce desegregation orders.
This is not the first time Trump has threatened to use this act. He made similar threats during the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd in 2020 and again during protests against ICE in Los Angeles in 2025.
