U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewed by Reuters White House correspondent Steve Holland (not pictured) during an exclusive interview in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Thursday, saying he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota officials fail to stop what he described as escalating attacks on federal immigration officers.
In a statement, Trump accused Minnesota’s political leadership of allowing “professional agitators and insurrectionists” to target agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whom he called “patriots… only trying to do their job.” He warned that continued violence and resistance could trigger federal intervention, noting the Insurrection Act has been used by past presidents to restore order.
The comments come as Minneapolis remains on edge following two ICE-involved shootings in just over a week, including a deadly encounter and a separate incident that left another individual injured. Protests, clashes with law enforcement, and strong pushback from local Democratic leaders have fueled a growing standoff between state officials and the federal government.
Trump’s warning signals a potential escalation in the administration’s response, raising the prospect of military involvement if unrest continues. Federal officials say enforcement operations will proceed, while critics warn the situation risks further inflaming tensions in the Twin Cities.
