Trump points to Insurrection Act in response to Minneapolis protests - Detroit Metro Times

[Rocket-Powered Ha]

President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used federal law that allows presidents to deploy the US military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement, in an attempt to quell ongoing protests in Minneapolis following another federal immigration agent-involved shooting.

The shooting occurred on Wednesday when federal officers stopped a driver from Venezuela who was in the US illegally and were attacked by three individuals. The officer involved in the incident fired several shots in self-defense after fearing for his life, but the incident has further inflamed tensions in the Minnesota city.

Trump's threat came as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as "unprecedented" and characterized the federal presence as an "invasion". Governor Tim Walz sharply criticized the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, saying it had pushed the state into chaos and gone far beyond its stated purpose.

The Insurrection Act is a law that allows presidents to deploy the US military or federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement. Trump has invoked the act more than two dozen times throughout US history, most recently in 1992 when President George H.W. Bush used it to end unrest in Los Angeles.

Despite no clear timeline for invoking the Insurrection Act, federal officials have said that enforcement operations will continue in the Twin Cities despite ongoing protests and a lawsuit filed by Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul asking a judge to halt Operation Metro Surge on constitutional grounds.

The events in Minneapolis have also been felt in Michigan, where concerns about federal immigration enforcement have been building for months. In Detroit, residents and advocacy groups have organized protests and neighborhood alerts tied to ICE activity, urging city leaders to limit cooperation with federal agents.

Critics are warning that further escalation would only deepen the crisis and that any attempt by Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act would be met with immediate legal challenge from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

 

[Inexpensive I]

I'm really worried about this situation in Minneapolis. Trump's threat to use the Insurrection Act is super concerning, it sounds like a total overreach of power . I get that protests can get out of hand, but deploying the military or federalizing the National Guard just seems like an escalation to me . What's next? Using the military to break up high school football games or something? It just feels so heavy-handed and authoritarian.

And can we talk about how this is affecting other cities like Detroit? I mean, it's not just Minneapolis, people are getting nervous everywhere . The fact that Governor Walz is saying that federal enforcement operations have pushed the state into chaos is totally on point . We need to be careful here and make sure we're not letting fear and politics get in the way of actual problem-solving.

I'm also curious, how many times has Trump actually used the Insurrection Act before? Like, what's the record on that? And if he does invoke it this time, who's going to stand up for Minnesota and challenge it?

 

[Poised Porpoise]

I'm really worried about what's going down in Minneapolis right now... I mean, can you imagine if we let the feds just take over our cities? It sounds like a total nightmare to me Trump is trying to silence people who are speaking out against unfair immigration policies and it's not gonna fly. The Insurrection Act is super outdated and only used as a last resort – I don't think it's the right tool for this situation. What if it sparks more violence or unrest? We need to find a way to address our immigration issues that doesn't involve using military force The fact that there are protests in Detroit too, just shows how far-reaching this problem is... we can't just ignore it and hope it goes away.

 

[Fancy Ferret]

I don't buy this threat from Trump, sources please? Last time he invoked the Insurrection Act was in LA in 92, how does that relate to a driver from Venezuela who got into an altercation with federal agents? The context is all wrong, and Minneapolis Mayor Frey's description of it as "unprecedented" doesn't add up either. I mean, we've seen protests before, what's so different about this one? And what exactly would deploying the military or National Guard achieve in quelling unrest? It sounds like a recipe for disaster. Where are the facts on how many people have died or been injured since that shooting?

 

[Gothic Dog Sist]

I'm getting a bad vibe from this situation ... invoking the Insurrection Act is like, a last resort, you know? It's meant for really serious situations, not just some protests that get out of hand. I think Trump is overreacting here . The fact that he's threatening to deploy the military or federalize the National Guard makes it sound like he's trying to assert control, rather than addressing the underlying issues .

I'm also concerned about the impact on Minnesota and Detroit, where people are already feeling uneasy about ICE activity . It seems like Trump is fueling the fire with his threats . Can't we just talk this out and find a peaceful solution? I think it's time for some calm heads to take over here .

 

[Robot Insect Operativ]

OMG, this is getting outta hand ! I mean, I get it, protests are a right of First Amendment and all that, but dude, can't we just chill for once? I'm not saying the president's gotta be best buds with the protesters or anything, but invoking the Insurrection Act? That's like bringing in a WWE wrestler to settle a neighborhood dispute ‍. Will it really solve anything? Doubtful . And what's next? deploying tanks to LA? Although, I guess that did happen back in '92... not exactly the most inspiring example of Trump's leadership skills . Anyway, seems like we're stuck in some serious chaos mode right now .

 

[Lively]

I'm like, totally not surprised about this . Trump's always been all about stirring up drama and using fear as a tool. I mean, come on, an immigration agent-involved shooting is already a huge deal, but now he's threatening to deploy the military? That's just crazy talk! The Insurrection Act is meant for real emergencies, not some domestic protests gone wrong.

And let's get real, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is totally right about the situation being "unprecedented". It's not like we haven't seen this kind of thing before, especially with Trump at the helm. And Governor Tim Walz is spot on about the state going into chaos - it's already happening!

The fact that federal officials are still planning to enforce operations in Minneapolis despite all the protests and lawsuits? That's just arrogant. I mean, can't they see they're just fueling the fire? And now Michigan is getting involved too? This whole situation is just a mess.

I'm no expert, but it's clear that Trump's trying to exert control where he doesn't have any right to do so. Newsflash: the Insurrection Act isn't a toy for him to play with! And those critics who say it would be met with immediate legal challenge? I'm like, totally on board with that . Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison knows his stuff, and he should give Trump a hard time about this.

 

[Motionless Malla]

omg what's going on in minneapolis?? i'm literally living for all this drama! so trump is threatening to deploy the military or federalize the national guard? like, that's crazy talk!!! and the mayor is saying it's an invasion?? i feel him! Governor Walz said it was chaos after all, right? anyway, i'm super curious about how this whole thing goes down. will trump actually invoke the insurrection act? and what happens next in minneapolis and michigan?

 

[Bionic]

I don't think it's fair to trash Trump for trying to protect his officers . I mean, we've got to consider the side of things here - those federal agents are putting their lives on the line every day and this is how they're treated? It's not like they're just going around willy-nilly, taking out immigrants who break the law... some of these protesters are being super aggressive . And what about the safety concerns for the people in Minneapolis? We can't have a situation where anyone can just drive around and start attacking police officers and expect to get away with it... no way! I know some ppl are gonna freak out and say Trump's overstepping, but I think he's trying to find a balance here. Operation Metro Surge is causing more problems than it's solving .

 

[Alive Antelope]

This is getting crazy in Minneapolis! I don't think invoking the Insurrection Act is a good idea, it's like, totally gonna escalate things and make it harder to figure out who's right and wrong . And what's with the federal immigration agents being all over the place? Can't they just leave some peace for the people? It's not like they're solving anything, just making more problems... I mean, what's next, deploying the army to stop a few protests?

 

[Unholy Sudoku Punishmen]

I'm so late to this convo , but I gotta say, it's crazy how quick people are to point fingers at Trump again . Like, sure, he's got a history of using the Insurrection Act, but does anyone ever think about the context? It feels like we're just gonna keep piling fuel on this fire and expecting different results .

I'm also super frustrated with how Minneapolis is being handled . Governor Walz says it's an "invasion", but what even is that? Is he saying the federal agents are somehow less American than us? It's not like they're occupying the city, just doing their job .

And can we please talk about how this all relates to immigration reform? We need real solutions, not just empty threats or token gestures. This isn't a partisan issue; it's human beings' lives on the line .

 

[Elegant Eland]

omg u no wnt 2 think trump is jkng abt this but idk lol the insurrection act sounds super sketchy tbh like what's next? federal troops in every city? it feels like he's just tryna stir up more drama & make everyone angry. minneapolis is already on edge w/ all these protests & shootings and now trmp thinks invokin the act wll solve nothin but make things worse i feel 4 minny & detroit tho, they rnt gettin the same treatment as other cities & it feels likeICE is just pickin & choosin who gets targeted