US President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, warning that he will take drastic action to quell protests against federal immigration enforcement operations in the state. The threat comes as tensions escalate between protesters and law enforcement, with a federal officer shot in the leg during an immigration enforcement operation on Wednesday.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has urged demonstrators to remain peaceful, urging Trump to "turn the temperature down" and stop a campaign of retribution against those protesting against ICE operations. Walz has described the situation as chaotic and traumatic for communities, with thousands of armed federal agents deployed across the state.
The protests began after reports emerged of a federal officer shooting a man in the leg during an immigration enforcement operation on Wednesday night. The incident sparked widespread anger and outrage among protesters, who have been gathered at the scene of the shooting and clashed with police.
Trump's warning that he will invoke the Insurrection Act is seen as a thinly veiled threat to use military force to quell the protests. The Insurrection Act gives the president the authority to deploy troops into domestic law enforcement situations to restore order and quell violence.
The situation in Minnesota has become increasingly divisive, with Governor Walz describing it as an "occupation" and calling on Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to end their presence in the state. The city of Minneapolis has reported instances of federal agents engaging in aggressive behavior, including pulling over people indiscriminately and demanding to see their papers.
The federal government's handling of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE agent just last week, has also been widely criticized. Six attorneys from the US Attorney's Office in Minnesota have resigned in protest over the Justice Department's reluctance to investigate the agent involved.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains unclear what action Trump will take next, or whether his threat of invoking the Insurrection Act will ultimately be fulfilled.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has urged demonstrators to remain peaceful, urging Trump to "turn the temperature down" and stop a campaign of retribution against those protesting against ICE operations. Walz has described the situation as chaotic and traumatic for communities, with thousands of armed federal agents deployed across the state.
The protests began after reports emerged of a federal officer shooting a man in the leg during an immigration enforcement operation on Wednesday night. The incident sparked widespread anger and outrage among protesters, who have been gathered at the scene of the shooting and clashed with police.
Trump's warning that he will invoke the Insurrection Act is seen as a thinly veiled threat to use military force to quell the protests. The Insurrection Act gives the president the authority to deploy troops into domestic law enforcement situations to restore order and quell violence.
The situation in Minnesota has become increasingly divisive, with Governor Walz describing it as an "occupation" and calling on Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to end their presence in the state. The city of Minneapolis has reported instances of federal agents engaging in aggressive behavior, including pulling over people indiscriminately and demanding to see their papers.
The federal government's handling of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE agent just last week, has also been widely criticized. Six attorneys from the US Attorney's Office in Minnesota have resigned in protest over the Justice Department's reluctance to investigate the agent involved.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains unclear what action Trump will take next, or whether his threat of invoking the Insurrection Act will ultimately be fulfilled.