President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act. He said he would deploy military forces to Minnesota if state and local leaders fail to stop violent attacks against federal immigration officers.
Trump issued the warning in a Truth Social post as unrest continued in Minneapolis. The unrest followed multiple ICE-related incidents and several days of protests targeting federal agents.
“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. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The president’s statement came after renewed violence in Minneapolis. That violence included the destruction and looting of federal vehicles and repeated attempts to disrupt immigration enforcement operations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Federal officials said tensions escalated further after an ICE agent shot an alleged illegal immigrant in the leg on Wednesday during an arrest attempt. The Department of Homeland Security said the agent acted after “fearing for his life and safety.” Officials said the suspect resisted arrest and “violently assaulted the officer.”
Authorities said the suspect is in stable condition and now in custody. The ICE agent was taken to a hospital.
The warning also follows an earlier deadly incident last week. In that case, Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation. Authorities alleged she attempted to ram her vehicle into federal officers.
Officials have said the agent fired in self-defense.
The ongoing unrest has included protesters using horns and whistles to disrupt officers. Law enforcement responded by deploying tear gas and pepper balls to control crowds. Video footage from recent days shows mobs damaging ICE vehicles. Other footage shows rioters stealing equipment from federal vehicles.
Trump cited the Insurrection Act of 1807 as the authority he could use if violence continues. The law allows the president to deploy the National Guard or active-duty military forces to suppress rebellions or unlawful obstruction. It also allows enforcement of federal law.
The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots. It was also used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957 to enforce school desegregation.
This is not the first time Trump has considered using the authority. Officials from his first administration previously said he weighed invoking the act during earlier periods of unrest.
Minnesota Democratic leaders sharply criticized Trump’s remarks. Gov. Tim Walz made what he described as a “direct appeal” to the president in a post on X.
“Let’s turn the temperature down. Stop this campaign of retribution. This is not who we are,” Walz wrote. “And an appeal to Minnesotans: I know this is scary. We can — we must — speak out loudly, urgently, but also peacefully. We cannot fan the flames of chaos. That’s what he wants.”
The White House rejected Walz’s comments. Officials blamed Minnesota Democrats for the violence.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said state and city leaders had “done nothing but turn up the temperature, smear heroic ICE officers, and incite violence against them – all in defense of criminal illegal aliens.”
“In Minnesota, ICE has arrested rapists, drug traffickers, domestic abusers, and more, despite Democrat opposition,” Jackson said. “The Trump Administration will protect the American people and enforce the law without apology.”
“The only statement Tim Walz should be making is an apology,” she added.
Jackson also accused Walz of repeatedly comparing ICE officers to Nazis. She said he has lied about the agency’s work.
Minnesota officials, joined by leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul, have filed legal actions seeking to limit ICE operations in the state. They have demanded that federal agents leave Minnesota.
Trump dismissed those efforts. He signaled he is prepared to act unilaterally if attacks on federal officers continue.