President Donald J. Trump today addressed escalating protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following recent incidents involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In a post on Truth Social, the President warned that he may invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. military forces if state leaders fail to restore order.
The unrest began last week after an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good during an enforcement operation. A second shooting by a federal agent on Wednesday further intensified clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. Protesters have demanded an end to what they describe as aggressive federal immigration actions in the Twin Cities.
President Trump emphasized the need to protect ICE personnel, whom he referred to as "Patriots of I.C.E." In his statement, he declared: "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."
Administration officials, including Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, have characterized the protests as an "insurgency against the federal government." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem affirmed the President's authority under the Insurrection Act, stating she hopes Minnesota's leadership will collaborate to remove criminals from the streets.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has criticized the federal response as "organized brutality" and urged de-escalation. The Insurrection Act, enacted in 1807, allows the President to deploy troops domestically to suppress insurrections or enforce federal laws, though it has been used sparingly, with the last invocation during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
The White House calls for calm and respect for law enforcement while reaffirming its commitment to securing the nation's borders. President Trump remains focused on protecting American communities from illegal immigration threats.