United States President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used emergency law that permits the domestic deployment of the military, following deadly clashes between federal agents and protesters in Minnesota.
The warning came after federal immigration agents shot two people in separate incidents, killing an American woman and wounding a Venezuelan national, sparking widespread protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the state.
Demonstrators have condemned what they describe as heavy-handed tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during sweeping immigration raids in the Democratic-controlled state.
Protests have intensified in recent days, with crowds confronting federal agents and security forces responding with tear gas and pepper spray.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Minnesota officials of failing to maintain law and order and warned of federal intervention.
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the patriots of ICE, who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the Insurrection Act,” Trump wrote.
The Insurrection Act allows the president to bypass restrictions under the Posse Comitatus Act and deploy armed forces to suppress what is deemed domestic unrest or rebellion.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz strongly criticised federal authorities, accusing them of carrying out what he described as an organised campaign of brutality against residents.
In a video message posted online, Walz cited incidents including the reported mistreatment of civilians and the January 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Good.
“We must protest loudly and urgently, but also peacefully,” Walz said, urging Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to “end this occupation.”
He also encouraged residents to document interactions with ICE agents for potential legal action.
Noem, speaking at a White House briefing, said the decision to invoke the Insurrection Act rests solely with the president.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the most recent shooting occurred during a struggle between an ICE agent and a suspect late Wednesday.
According to him, the agent discharged his weapon during the altercation, striking a man in the leg.
The Department of Homeland Security said two individuals later emerged from a nearby residence and attacked the agent with household items, identifying the wounded suspect as an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.
Officials said the injury was not life-threatening and that two people were taken into custody.
Senior White House official Stephen Miller accused Minnesota authorities of deliberately encouraging what he called a violent insurrection, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed sections of the media for escalating tensions.
Concerns have continued to mount over ICE’s enforcement methods, with critics pointing to inadequate training and oversight.
Mexican authorities also said they are seeking clarification over the death of a Mexican citizen at an ICE detention facility in Georgia this week.
ICE recorded 30 deaths in detention in 2025, the highest number in the agency’s history, amid a sharp rise in the number of detainees nationwide.
The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King.
