The Pentagon prepares 1,500 soldiers for a possible deployment in Minnesota

The Pentagon ordered about 1,500 soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment in Minnesota after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to stop the riots in the state, according to several media outlets this Sunday.

The leader assured that “if forced” he will apply one of the most powerful emergency powers that allows him to deploy the Army to suppress episodes of civil disorder. The state is witnessing several days of protests against federal agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after the death of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis after being shot several times by an agent. Days later, a man was injured after being shot by another of the officers in the same area. Following the president’s threat, the Department of Defense activated two infantry battalions from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska, in case Trump decides to enforce the law. Several officials considered, in statements to The Washington Post, that it is “prudent planning” and that it does not mean they will send them to the state.

In recent days, tensions between federal agents and state residents have been increasing.

ICE members have launched tear gas and stun grenades to deter protests and protesters have used fireworks against the officers. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who have condemned the presence of federal agents since Trump decided to deploy them, have denounced that the agents’ actions go beyond immigration control. Frey assured that the agents are trying to provoke the protesters to create a pretext to justify sending troops to the city.

You may be interested in: Trump insists he will intervene in Minnesota “if forced”

The last time it was used was in 1992, under the mandate of George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) in California in response to the civil unrest recorded in Los Angeles after the acquittal of four white police officers accused of beating an African-American driver. For its part, the Minnesota National Guard has been “mobilized” by the governor to support local forces “We are prepared and ready to respond. At the moment, we are not deployed on the city streets,” explained to EFE Andrea Tsuchiya, public relations officer for the Minnesota National Guard.