1,500 Soldiers Prepared for Deployment in Minneapolis Amid Protests

Sun Jan 18 2026 12:18:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

U.S. defense officials reveal that 1,500 soldiers are on standby as tensions rise over ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, following a tragic shooting earlier this month.

As protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue in Minneapolis, approximately 1,500 soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska are on standby for potential deployment. The decision comes in the wake of a police-related tragedy and is supported by local requests for peaceful demonstrations amid heightened tensions.

According to a U.S. defense official, around 1,500 soldiers are currently positioned in Alaska and could be deployed to Minneapolis if President Biden opts to mobilize active duty military personnel. This potential deployment comes amid ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the tragic shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Good earlier this month during an ICE operation.

No final decision has been made regarding the deployment of these soldiers. However, Minnesota officials are urging protesters to remain peaceful as demonstrations continue.

The soldiers belong to the 11th Airborne Division based at Fort Wainwright, and their readiness underscores the tense situation in Minneapolis, where the protests were provoked by the recent conduct of ICE with Good being present as a legal observer during their operations.

Moreover, a federal judge, Katherine Menendez, has limited the crowd control tactics used by ICE agents in dealing with peaceful and unobstructive demonstrators, ruling against the use of pepper spray or arrests on peaceful protestors observing ICE activities.

The state's National Guard has been mobilized and placed on alert by Governor Tim Walz as law enforcement prepares for the demonstrations. Protests across the nation erupted following Good's death, with many advocates calling for justice in her name while the Trump administration controversially labeled her a domestic terrorist.

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