Approximately 1,500 active-duty US Army soldiers are reportedly preparing for a potential deployment to Minnesota, following threats from former President Donald Trump to invoke a historic law to suppress growing protests.
Troops Placed on High Alert
According to defence officials cited in reports, service members from two infantry battalions within the Army’s 11th Airborne Division have been placed on alert. This division, based in Alaska and specially trained for cold-weather operations, is poised to respond to what the Pentagon has described as potentially escalating violence in the Minneapolis area. Officials have characterised the move as "prudent planning."
The development follows repeated statements from Trump suggesting he could deploy the military domestically. This comes in the wake of nationwide demonstrations triggered by the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer earlier this month. The president has labelled protesters as "professional agitators and insurrectionists."
The Rarely Used Insurrection Act
At the centre of the crisis is the Insurrection Act, a law from the 1800s that grants the president sweeping powers to deploy active-duty troops within the United States. It also allows for the federalisation of National Guard units. The last time it was invoked was in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots.
If invoked now, the act would enable a military occupation of a state and city led by Democratic officials who are currently political opponents of the administration. The Justice Department has already launched a criminal investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both of whom have vehemently rejected the allegations against them.
Widespread Protests and Legal Challenges
The death of Renee Good and the administration's characterisation of her as a "violent rioter" involved in "terrorism" have ignited fury across the country. Administration officials claim Good "weaponised" her vehicle by making contact with an officer as she tried to drive away.
The situation is further inflamed by a massive immigration enforcement operation in the state, known as "Operation Metro Surge," which has led to over 2,500 arrests. Critics, including civil rights groups, accuse federal officers of violently targeting both immigrants and citizens, particularly in the Twin Cities area which is home to a large Somali-American community.
In response to a wave of complaints about officers targeting peaceful demonstrators, a federal judge has intervened. District Judge Kate Menendez, appointed by President Joe Biden, has issued an order blocking federal agents from:
- Arresting anyone engaged in peaceful protest.
- Using chemical irritants or intimidation tactics like pointing firearms.
- Stopping or detaining vehicles without reasonable suspicion of obstruction.
A federal lawsuit underpinning the order accuses officers of following protesters home, firing chemical spray and rubber bullets, and making threats. The White House and Pentagon have been approached for comment.
