US President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act to quell unrest over federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
He threatened to send in troops following a night of protests and vandalism in the Minnesota city after an agent shot a man in the leg.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said an officer opened fire after he was attacked by three Venezuelan nationals with a shovel and broom handle.
Tensions have been running high in Minneapolis since an immigration agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, 37, last week, sparking nationwide protests.
The Insurrection Act is a 19th Century law that allows active-duty military personnel to be deployed for law enforcement duties inside the US. Trump has previously indicated he might invoke the 1807 law without ever following through.
In a post on Truth Social, he stated he would use the law if Minnesota officials failed to stop what he called professional agitators and insurrectionists.
The DHS reported that the shooting was instigated by a chase involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who allegedly attacked the federal agent. After he exited his vehicle, he was pursued and later shot in the leg by the officer after a confrontation ensued.
During the unrest that followed, protesters clashed with police, throwing fireworks and other projectiles. Several government vehicles were damaged, and the FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information regarding the incidents.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have expressed their concerns over the enforcement actions and called for the need to de-escalate tensions in the city, which they argue are unsustainable due to the ongoing operations by ICE agents.
As the situation develops, communities continue to navigate the complexities of federal immigration policies, public safety, and civil unrest.
