US President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used federal law that allows for the deployment of troops or federalization of state militias, to quell ongoing protests in Minneapolis. The move comes after a second shooting involving federal immigration agents this week.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday when federal officers stopped a driver who was in the US illegally. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the officer firing a defensive shot to defend his life. Two other individuals emerged from an apartment and began attacking the officer before being apprehended.
Protests erupted near the scene of the shooting, with smoke drifting through the area as federal agents used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Demonstrators threw rocks and set off fireworks in response to the presence of law enforcement.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as unprecedented, stating that the federal presence has overwhelmed his city. The massive deployment of federal agents has been characterized by Governor Tim Walz as an "invasion" of Minneapolis, with its impact felt across the city and surrounding areas.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sharply criticized the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, describing it as a "campaign of organized brutality." He urged President Trump to de-escalate the situation, warning that further escalation would only deepen the crisis.
The incident marks the latest escalation of tensions between federal agents and protesters in Minneapolis. Demonstrations have been ongoing since January 7, when an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good during an enforcement operation near her home.
President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act has sparked concerns about the potential for further violence and increased militarization in Minneapolis. The law has a history of being invoked by presidents, most recently by George H.W. Bush in 1992, when he used it to end unrest in Los Angeles.
Federal officials have said that enforcement operations will continue in the Twin Cities despite ongoing protests. However, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has stated that any attempt to use the law would be met with immediate legal challenge.
The events in Minneapolis have also been felt in Michigan, where concerns about federal immigration enforcement have been building for months. In Detroit, residents and advocacy groups have organized protests and neighborhood alerts tied to ICE activity, urging city leaders to limit cooperation with federal agents.
Overall, the situation in Minneapolis remains fluid, with tensions continuing to escalate between protesters and law enforcement. The US government's response will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the crisis.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday when federal officers stopped a driver who was in the US illegally. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the officer firing a defensive shot to defend his life. Two other individuals emerged from an apartment and began attacking the officer before being apprehended.
Protests erupted near the scene of the shooting, with smoke drifting through the area as federal agents used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Demonstrators threw rocks and set off fireworks in response to the presence of law enforcement.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as unprecedented, stating that the federal presence has overwhelmed his city. The massive deployment of federal agents has been characterized by Governor Tim Walz as an "invasion" of Minneapolis, with its impact felt across the city and surrounding areas.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sharply criticized the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, describing it as a "campaign of organized brutality." He urged President Trump to de-escalate the situation, warning that further escalation would only deepen the crisis.
The incident marks the latest escalation of tensions between federal agents and protesters in Minneapolis. Demonstrations have been ongoing since January 7, when an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good during an enforcement operation near her home.
President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act has sparked concerns about the potential for further violence and increased militarization in Minneapolis. The law has a history of being invoked by presidents, most recently by George H.W. Bush in 1992, when he used it to end unrest in Los Angeles.
Federal officials have said that enforcement operations will continue in the Twin Cities despite ongoing protests. However, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has stated that any attempt to use the law would be met with immediate legal challenge.
The events in Minneapolis have also been felt in Michigan, where concerns about federal immigration enforcement have been building for months. In Detroit, residents and advocacy groups have organized protests and neighborhood alerts tied to ICE activity, urging city leaders to limit cooperation with federal agents.
Overall, the situation in Minneapolis remains fluid, with tensions continuing to escalate between protesters and law enforcement. The US government's response will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the crisis.