The Pentagon has ordered up to 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota, two officials confirmed, amid President Donald Trump’s threats to invoke the Insurrection Act for the first time since 1992.
The troops on standby belong to the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, which specializes in arctic conditions.
On Jan. 15, President Trump threatened to invoke the act following increased tension between demonstrators and immigration officers in Minneapolis since the Trump administration’s deployment of over 3,000 Federal agents into the region. President Trump later retracted the threat.
If utilized, the Insurrection Act of 1807 would grant the President the authority to deploy military personnel into Minnesota.
Sean Parnell, the Chief Pentagon spokesperson, stated to NPR via email that the “Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon."
Before the Pentagon’s order, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz instructed the Minnesota National Guard to brace for potential deployment to aid local law enforcement and emergency management agencies.
"Minnesota National Guardsmen live, work, and serve in our state, and are focused on protecting life, preserving property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights." If activated, members would wear yellow reflective vests to "help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms." The Minnesota National Guard wrote in a Facebook post.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has commented on the federal government’s actions during this time, deeming them “ridiculous” and “unconstitutional.”
“Thousands of Minneapolis citizens are exercising their First Amendment rights, and the protests have been peaceful.” We are not going to take the bait. We will not counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos here,” Frey added.
During the course of these events, the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently, has opened an investigation into several Minnesota officials, including Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey.
