The Pentagon reportedly ordered roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota as protests against federal immigration enforcement continue in Minneapolis.
Two U.S. defense officials told Reuters the Army placed two infantry battalions from the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division on standby. The troops specialize in cold-weather operations. Officials said the soldiers would deploy if violence in the state worsens, though it remains unclear whether any will actually be sent.
The White House said in a statement to The Washington Post that it is typical for the Pentagon “to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.” Defense officials characterized the move as “prudent planning,” the Post reported. (RELATED: Trump Threatens To Use Insurrection Act If Minnesota Leaders Don’t Rein In Agitators)
Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell addressed the preparations in an emailed statement to the Associated Press (AP). He did not deny the orders were issued.
“The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon,” Parnell said.
President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota officials failed to stop protesters from targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Trump posted on Truth Social that he would act against “the corrupt politicians of Minnesota” if they did not “stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E.”
Trump appeared to soften his stance Friday, telling reporters at the White House there was no reason to use the act “right now,” according to the AP.
“If I needed it, I’d use it,” Trump said. “It’s very powerful.”
Nearly 3,000 federal agents from ICE and Border Patrol have flooded Minneapolis and St. Paul since early last week. The administration could also deploy troops without invoking the Insurrection Act by citing the need to protect federal property.
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have impeded immigration enforcement, the Post reported. Both officials have denied wrongdoing.
Frey called the troop preparations unconstitutional during a CNN appearance Sunday.
“It’s ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government,” Frey said.
The protests intensified after an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7. A second shooting occurred January 14 when a federal officer wounded a Venezuelan man during an attempted arrest.
The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots.
