Minneapolis, Minnesota – US President Donald Trump has warned that he may invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used federal law, to restore order in Minnesota as tensions rise over immigration enforcement operations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The warning follows violent protests, vandalism, and clashes with police in Minneapolis after a federal immigration agent shot a man in the leg during a confrontation earlier this week. The situation has further escalated amid public anger over the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent last week, which sparked nationwide demonstrations.
What Sparked the Latest Unrest in Minneapolis?
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Wednesday’s shooting occurred after a car chase involving a Venezuelan national, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who had previously been convicted of driving without a licence.
DHS claims that after the chase ended:
Sosa-Celis exited his vehicle and physically fought a federal agent
Two other Venezuelan nationals, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, joined the altercation
The three men allegedly attacked the agent using a snow shovel and a broom handle
The officer then fired a defensive shot, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg
Both the officer and Sosa-Celis were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and all three men were arrested.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem described the incident as an “attempted murder of federal law enforcement”, saying the agent was “ambushed and attacked”.
Protests Turn Violent as Clashes Erupt
Later that night, violent clashes broke out in the Hawthorne area of Minneapolis, close to the scene of the shooting.
Police reported that:
Officers were hit with fireworks, ice, and snowballs
Several federal government vehicles were damaged
Property was stolen from inside government vehicles
The FBI confirmed it is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to:
The recovery of stolen federal property
The arrest of those responsible for damage and theft
In response to ongoing unrest, around 3,000 federal officers have now been deployed across Minnesota.
Trump’s Warning: Insurrection Act Could Be Used
President Trump took to Truth Social, warning that he would invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota officials failed to control what he called “professional agitators and insurrectionists”.
The Insurrection Act, passed in 1807, allows the US president to deploy active-duty military forces inside the United States to assist with law enforcement during extreme unrest.
Trump has previously threatened to use the law during periods of unrest but has never formally invoked it.
What Is the Insurrection Act?
The Insurrection Act is one of the most powerful emergency laws available to a US president.
It allows the president to:
Deploy US military troops domestically
Override state and local authorities if necessary
Restore order during violent unrest or rebellion
The law has been used only rarely in US history, most notably during the civil rights era.
What Is ICE and What Powers Do Its Agents Have?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal agency under the DHS responsible for:
Enforcing immigration laws
Detaining and deporting undocumented migrants
Investigating cross-border crime
ICE agents are authorised to:
Carry firearms
Detain suspects
Use force when they believe their lives are in danger
However, ICE’s operations have long been highly controversial, especially in so-called “sanctuary cities” like Minneapolis.
Political Leaders Call for Calm
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who has demanded ICE leave the city, warned that the situation was becoming unmanageable.
“No matter what led up to this incident, the situation we are seeing in our city is not sustainable,” he wrote on X.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, also appealed directly to President Trump, urging restraint.
“Let’s turn the temperature down,” Walz said. “We cannot fan the flames of chaos.”
Walz, who previously compared ICE to a “modern-day Gestapo,” confirmed earlier this month that he will not seek re-election, following a fraud scandal involving state welfare programmes.
The Fatal Shooting That Triggered Nationwide Protests
Tensions in Minneapolis had already been high following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on 7 January.
According to video footage:
ICE agents approached Good’s car, which was stopped in the street
As she attempted to drive away, an agent standing in front of the vehicle fired three shots
Good later died from her injuries
The Trump administration maintains that the agent acted in self-defence, while local officials insist that Good posed no immediate threat.
The FBI is currently investigating the incident.
Fundraisers Highlight Deep National Divide
Public reaction has been deeply divided:
An online fundraiser for Good’s widow and family has raised more than $1.4 million
A separate fundraiser supporting Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent involved, has raised around $740,000
These figures reflect the intense national debate over immigration enforcement, police powers, and the use of force.
What Happens Next?
Despite growing criticism, President Trump has confirmed that Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration enforcement initiative in Minnesota, will continue.
This comes after a federal judge rejected a request by Minnesota prosecutors to temporarily block ICE operations in the state.
With investigations ongoing and political tensions rising, Minneapolis remains on edge as the nation watches closely.
References & Sources
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Statements from President Donald Trump (Truth Social)
Minneapolis Police Department
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (X)
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (X)
Federal court filings and video evidence
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