President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Minnesota officials, threatening to deploy military forces under the Insurrection Act following a second controversial shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents within a week. The unprecedented threat escalates tensions in a state already grappling with civil unrest and allegations of federal law enforcement misconduct.
In a provocative post on his Truth Social platform, Trump 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.” The president asserted that invoking this centuries-old law would “quickly put an end to the travesty” unfolding in the state.
The crisis stems from two separate incidents that have ignited national outrage. On January 7, ICE agents fatally shot 37-year-old mother Renee Nicole Good under disputed circumstances. While federal authorities claim Good attempted to run over officers with her vehicle, local officials counter that video evidence shows she posed no legitimate threat and that agents acted recklessly.
The situation deteriorated further on Wednesday evening when ICE agents shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg during what the Department of Homeland Security described as an ambush attack by two assailants and the immigrant they were attempting to apprehend. This second shooting has intensified protests across Minneapolis, with police declaring recent gatherings “unlawful assemblies” after participants allegedly threw fireworks and rocks at officers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey characterized the deteriorating situation as “not sustainable,” reflecting growing concerns about the escalating conflict between federal agents and local communities. The 1807 Insurrection Act, which Trump has repeatedly signaled willingness to invoke, provides presidents extraordinary authority to deploy military forces domestically under extreme circumstances—a power historically reserved for actual insurrections or widespread civil disorder that overwhelms local authorities.