US President Donald Trump announced today on social media that he would use the insurrection act to address ongoing protests in Minnesota. "If the corrupt politicians in Minnesota do not comply with the law and stop the professional agitators and rioters who are attacking patriots at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), I will use the insurrection act to quickly end this ongoing farce in this great state," Trump stated.

Under the insurrection act, the US president can deploy military forces and take control of state National Guard units to suppress disturbances, rebellions, or insurrections against the government. To exercise these powers, the president must first order the dispersal of those causing disturbances or rebelling.

Protesters confront ICE agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US on 15/1. Photo: AFP

Trump had previously thanked a judge for blocking a proposal to halt ICE operations in Minnesota. The US leader emphasized that ICE would continue to "remove the most violent and malicious criminals, many of whom are murderers," from Minnesota.

Protests erupted in Minneapolis, as well as many areas in Minnesota and parts of the US, after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot driver Renee Nicole Good on 7/1. Preliminary information indicates Good's vehicle blocked the road, then began to move as an ICE agent approached. Ross, standing in front of the car, fired three shots at Good at close range, killing her.

On 14/1, a man in Minneapolis was shot in the leg by an ICE agent during a struggle; the injury was not life-threatening, and the victim was taken to the hospital. The US Department of Homeland Security stated the incident occurred when "an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela" resisted ICE agents after they stopped his vehicle for inspection. "While this individual and law enforcement personnel struggled on the ground, two others emerged from a house with snow shovels and broom handles, attacking the officers. The agent fired in self-defense to protect his life, injuring the Venezuelan man in the leg," the agency reported.

Protesters and law enforcement personnel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US on 15/1. Photo: AFP

Many gathered at the scene to protest, with some throwing fireworks at officers. Local officials called for calm and demanded ICE withdraw its forces from Minneapolis and Minnesota.

ICE began an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota in 12/2025, initially deploying about 100 agents and later increasing forces to 2,000 personnel. Local leaders and immigrant advocacy organizations criticized these operations, arguing that agents stopped people on the streets based on appearance and accent. Many vehicle stops led to violent arrests targeting both immigrants and US citizens.

On 12/1, two states, Minnesota and Illinois, sued the Trump administration. They seek to prohibit federal agents from threatening to use force against individuals not subject to arrest, requiring agents to wear identification badges, use body-worn cameras, and not conceal their faces.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)