The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty troops to prepare for a potential deployment to the state of Minnesota, should the security situation further deteriorate, according to a report by The Washington Post, citing U.S. defense officials. Reuters stated it was unable to independently confirm the information.
According to the report, military units have been placed on standby and could be deployed if violence in the state escalates. The development follows a warning by President Donald Trump that he may invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota authorities fail to stop protesters whom he claims are attacking federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota do not enforce the law and stop the professional rioters attacking patriotic ICE agents, I will invoke the Insurrection Act,” Trump wrote in a post on the Truth Social platform.
So far, neither the Pentagon nor the White House has issued an official response.
Protests Against ICE in Minneapolis
Meanwhile, hundreds of anti-ICE protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis on Saturday, preventing a small group of far-right activists from marching toward an area with a large immigrant population.
The demonstrators gathered near City Hall, carrying signs and demanding the removal of ICE from Minnesota. Around midday, they surrounded a group of approximately 10 far-right activists, forcing them to retreat. Reports indicated that water balloons were thrown, despite extremely cold temperatures of around minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Police maintained their distance throughout the demonstrations. After about an hour, the far-right group withdrew and took shelter in a nearby hotel. While there were minor verbal confrontations, no serious incidents were reported.
Tensions in Minneapolis remain high, as the city continues to grapple with the fatal shooting of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent approximately 10 days ago.
