A sharp exchange erupted between the White House and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz after President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act amidst ongoing unrest in the state. Walz had publicly urged Trump to de-escalate the situation, pleading for an end to what he called a “campaign of retribution.” His appeal came following a recent shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis, sparking further demonstrations.
The White House swiftly countered, accusing Walz and other Democratic leaders of escalating tensions and inciting violence against ICE officers. A spokesperson asserted they were prioritizing “criminal illegal aliens” over the safety of law enforcement and the American public. They highlighted ICE’s efforts to apprehend individuals accused of serious crimes, despite what they characterized as Democratic opposition.
The White House’s Rapid Response team launched a particularly scathing attack on Walz via social media, criticizing his call for the prosecution of ICE agents enforcing federal law. The team shared a clip of Walz encouraging residents to film ICE activity, framing it as evidence gathering for potential future legal action against the agents.
Governor Walz had directly addressed his constituents, urging them to document interactions with ICE agents, stating it was their right to do so. He envisioned a database of these recordings, intended both as a historical record and as potential evidence for future prosecutions. This call to action fueled the White House’s accusations of inciting unrest.
President Trump, in a statement, warned he would not hesitate to invoke the Insurrection Act if the situation in Minnesota didn’t improve. He accused “corrupt politicians” and “professional agitators” of attacking ICE officers and vowed to swiftly end the “travesty” unfolding in the state. The threat signaled a willingness to utilize significant presidential power to restore order.
The Insurrection Act, dating back to 1807, allows the president to deploy the military to suppress domestic unrest and enforce federal laws. It hasn’t been used since the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Invoking the act would temporarily suspend the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits the military from engaging in domestic law enforcement activities.
Should the Insurrection Act be enacted, the president would gain the authority to federalize the National Guard and deploy active-duty military forces to Minnesota. This move would represent a dramatic escalation of federal intervention in a state grappling with civil unrest and a direct challenge to established legal boundaries.
