President Donald Trump warned this Thursday through his social media that he could invoke the Insurrection Act in the state of Minnesota following recent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The warning came alongside a rebuke of local authorities, who, according to Trump, are not stopping the clashes between protesters and federal agents.
“If the corrupt politicians in Minnesota do not obey the law and do not arrest the professional agitators and insurgents who are attacking ICE patriots, who are just trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many presidents have used before me, and quickly put an end to the farce happening in that once-great state.”
Protest Context
The threat of the Insurrection Act in Minnesota comes amid rising tensions following violent incidents in the city of Minneapolis linked to immigration operations and social protests.
Protests in Minneapolis have intensified after several attacks by ICE agents against both migrants and American citizens who oppose the raids and the abuse they entail.
What is the Insurrection Act?
The Insurrection Act, passed in 1792 and later amended in 1871. Allows the federal government to employ the military or the National Guard on U.S. territory when state authorities cannot maintain order.
This law has been used on several occasions by previous administrations. The last time it was applied was in 1992 by President George H. W. Bush at the request of the governor of California to confront riots in Los Angeles.
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Reactions and Divisions
The warning issued by Trump has generated mixed reactions. The federal government insists on the need to restore order and support ICE’s work. Local leaders have expressed concern about the use of military force and the possible violation of civil rights.
The situation in Minnesota continues to evolve, with an open debate about the limits of using federal laws to intervene in internal protests and public safety.
