Minnesota National Guard Responds to ICE Protests
In January 2026, Donald Trump had previously threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota due to protest violence, but stated no invocation was necessary as of January 16, 2026.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. The White House historical page details his presidency.
Following the 2020 presidential election, Trump made several public statements regarding potential responses to protests and unrest.
On June 1, 2020, Trump threatened to deploy the U.S. military to states to quell protests following the death of George floyd. The New York Times reported on this threat and the legal challenges it faced.
The insurrection Act
The Insurrection Act is a United States federal law that authorizes the President to deploy the military within the United States in specific circumstances. 10 U.S. Code § 251 outlines the conditions under which the act can be invoked.
The act allows the President to use the military to suppress insurrection,domestic violence,or unlawful combinations if requested by a state legislature or executive,or if it hinders the execution of federal laws.Its use is controversial, raising concerns about the balance between federal power and states’ rights.
Historically, the Insurrection Act has been invoked relatively rarely. Notable instances include President Dwight D.Eisenhower’s deployment of troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 to enforce school desegregation, as documented by The National Archives.
Minnesota Protests (2020-2021)
Following the death of george Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, widespread protests and unrest occurred in Minnesota and across the United States. Minnesota Public Radio provided extensive coverage of the events.
These protests involved both peaceful demonstrations and instances of violence, looting, and property damage. The Minnesota National Guard was activated to assist local law enforcement in maintaining order. The department of Defense reported on the National Guard’s activation.
In June 2020, Trump publicly discussed the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, but ultimately did not do so. As of January 16, 2026, according to KSMP-TV, Trump stated there was no need to invoke the act.