Pentagon Prepares 1500 Soldiers for Possible Minnesota Deployment

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to get ready for a possible deployment to Minnesota. This comes as protests grow in the Minneapolis area over federal immigration operations and the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this month. Officials say the troops are on standby in case violence gets worse.

Background

Protests started after Renee Good was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer. The incident happened when officers were carrying out arrests in Minneapolis as part of a large-scale immigration enforcement push. Good was driving a vehicle that made contact with an officer, according to federal accounts. Her death has led to demonstrations across the country, with many calling for a full investigation.

The Twin Cities area, home to a large Somali community of around 80,000 people—most of whom are legal residents or citizens—has seen a big increase in federal agents. This is part of a national effort to deport people, leading to over 2,500 arrests in Minnesota alone. Protesters say federal officers have targeted immigrants and citizens alike, sometimes with force. Clashes have turned violent in spots, with reports of agents using crowd control tools.

President Donald Trump has pointed to the unrest in Minnesota, a state led by Democrats. He called local leaders corrupt and labeled protesters as professional agitators and insurrectionists. On Thursday, he posted on Truth Social that if state officials do not stop attacks on ICE agents, he would use the Insurrection Act. This old law from the 1800s lets a president send active-duty troops into a state without its approval. It was last used by George H.W. Bush in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King case.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have pushed back against federal claims. The Justice Department is looking into them for possible obstruction. Local leaders say the federal surge has brought chaos to their city.

Key Details

The soldiers come from two infantry battalions in the Army's 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska. These units train for cold-weather work, which fits Minnesota's winter conditions. Defense officials call this a standard step for planning, just in case things escalate around Minneapolis.

Federal Court Actions

A federal judge, Kate Menendez, issued an order blocking some federal actions. She stopped agents from arresting peaceful protesters or using chemical irritants, rubber bullets, or pointing guns at crowds. The ruling also bars stopping drivers without clear reason. This came from a lawsuit saying officers followed people home, used force on observers, and violated First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Federal officials defend their work. They say Good weaponized her car by hitting an officer while trying to leave a group of agents. The White House has called her a violent rioter involved in terrorism. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt used the word 'lunatic' in one statement. Good's widower has denied these claims.

The immigration push targets fraud cases linked to Somali roots, but has widened to broader enforcement. Protests have hit streets daily, with some turning into standoffs between demonstrators and officers.

"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT." – President Donald Trump, Truth Social post

Pentagon spokespeople say they always plan ahead for any presidential order. No decision has been made to send the troops yet. They remain on prepare-to-deploy status.

What This Means

This preparation marks a rare step for the US military inside the country. Active-duty troops rarely handle domestic protests, as the National Guard usually takes that role under state control. Using the Insurrection Act would let the president override state leaders and send soldiers directly.

Tensions between federal and local authorities could grow. Minnesota's Democratic leaders have refused to back down, saying they protect their residents' rights. The judge's order limits federal options, but enforcement raids continue.

Protests show no sign of stopping. Demonstrators demand justice for Good and an end to what they call aggressive tactics by ICE. Federal arrests keep coming, fueling more anger. If violence picks up, the soldiers could move in quickly.

The situation tests limits on federal power in states run by political opponents. Past uses of the Insurrection Act were for major riots, not ongoing protests. Defense planners watch closely, ready for any shift.

Nationwide, this ties into bigger debates over immigration policy. The Minnesota operation is the largest yet under the current push, with eyes on how it plays out. Local communities brace for more unrest, while agents press on with their tasks. The coming days will show if troops deploy or if talks calm things down.