Pentagon puts 1,500 soldiers on standby for Minnesota deployment

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to get ready for a possible deployment to Minnesota, according to defense officials, marking an escalation in tensions between the federal government and state authorities over immigration enforcement operations.

The two infantry battalions from Alaska's 11th Airborne Division were placed on prepare-to-deploy orders, though officials stressed this represents a planning step rather than a confirmed mobilization. The actual movement of troops to the state remains uncertain at this stage.

Background

The military mobilization order comes as the Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement across the country. The situation in Minnesota has become particularly tense following allegations that the state was involved in large-scale fraud connected to publicly subsidized day care centers, claims that local officials have denied.

The friction intensified after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot an American citizen in Minneapolis, further straining relations between federal authorities and city officials.

President Trump has made military deployments a recurring tool since taking office in January 2025. He has repeatedly sought to deploy or deployed National Guard units to various cities, citing the need to combat urban crime, protect ICE facilities, and support law enforcement operations in places like New Orleans, Memphis, and Washington, DC.

Key Details

The Threat of the Insurrection Act

On Thursday, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 if Minnesota authorities did not allow ICE to operate without interference. The law permits the federal government to deploy troops and National Guard forces during emergencies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Trump has constitutional authority to use the act.

"They're now talking about deploying 1,500 military? This is ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government." – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey

Mayor Frey rejected the military deployment plans as unnecessary, pointing out that the state already has 3,000 ICE and border patrol agents operating in Minnesota. He called the situation ridiculous and vowed that the city would not be intimidated by federal actions.

Pentagon's Cautious Stance

The White House explained that the Pentagon regularly maintains readiness for various presidential directives that might be issued. This framing suggests the order represents standard military contingency planning rather than an imminent deployment. The Defense Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the mobilization.

What This Means

The Pentagon's order signals the Trump administration's willingness to use military force to enforce immigration policy at the state level. The threat of invoking the Insurrection Act represents a significant escalation in federal authority, as it would allow the government to bypass state and local objections to enforcement operations.

The development also highlights growing conflict between the federal government and local authorities over immigration enforcement. Minneapolis and Minnesota officials have resisted what they view as overly aggressive federal operations, while the Trump administration has pushed back against what it characterizes as interference with law enforcement.

The deployment order, whether ultimately carried out or not, sends a message about the administration's determination to enforce immigration policy regardless of local opposition. It also reflects a broader pattern of Trump using military and law enforcement resources to pursue his policy agenda since returning to office.