Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act After Anti-ICE Protests in Minneapolis
by carlos david cuello - se habla media
Tensions in Minneapolis escalated this week after a new clash between federal immigration agents and protesters, prompting President Donald Trump to warn that he could invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops to Minnesota. The threat comes amid clashes between state and local authorities and the federal government over the tactics used during immigration operations.
The most recent episode occurred near the Bishop Henry Whipple federal building, where a federal agent shot and wounded a man after an altercation. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the officer was assaulted during a struggle and subsequently attacked by others with a snow shovel and a broomstick, prompting the officer to fire “defensive shots” that hit the suspect in the leg. The event triggered new protests in the city.
The demonstrations turned chaotic when federal agents tried to disperse the attendees. Even a CNN team was hit by pepper spray projectiles after an object was thrown at the agents. In addition, the FBI reported that several of its vehicles were vandalized while responding to the incident, and it is now offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information that allows the identification of those responsible.
Minneapolis’ mayor warned that the current level of tension is “not sustainable,” as local leaders have called for calm following the death of Renee Good, who died last week after being shot by an ICE agent, a case that sparked protests across the country. In response, the Trump administration sent hundreds of additional agents as part of its nationwide immigration crackdown.
At the same time, legal actions are multiplying. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that federal agents violated the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens during recent operations, including warrantless arrests and excessive use of force. However, a federal judge refused to issue a temporary restraining order requested by the state and several cities.
The impact of the crisis also reached schools. Districts in Minneapolis and St. Paul said they will offer virtual classes to students who don’t feel safe attending in-person, after federal agents stopped vehicles with students on their way to class. Meanwhile, the president’s threat to resort to the Insurrection Act is stoking the national debate about the limits of federal power and the human cost of the most aggressive immigration policies.
