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 mentioned the possibility of invoking the 1807 law without taking concrete action.
The president posted on Truth Social that he would use the law if Minnesota officials failed to stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists.
After the shooting incident, clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement in the Hawthorne area, with city police reporting being hit by fireworks and other projectiles. Several federal vehicles were damaged in the unrest.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has condemned ICE operations in the city, saying the situation is unsustainable, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for de-escalation.
The tensions highlight a deepening divide over immigration enforcement in the community, further complicated by recent violent encounters.
Local officials emphasize the need for a return to order, while Trump’s statements indicate a firm federal stance on enforcement actions.
