Washington: US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which allows federal deployment of troops and National Guard forces, if Minnesota authorities do not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate without interference.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trump made this announcement via his social media platform, Truth Social. He urged Minnesota politicians to prevent agitators and insurrectionists from confronting ICE agents, warning that failure to do so would result in the enactment of the Insurrection Act to address the situation in Minnesota.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed discussions with Trump regarding the potential use of this act, emphasizing the president's constitutional authority to deploy federal forces. Noem expressed hope that Minnesota's leadership would collaborate with federal authorities to address criminal activity.

In an earlier communication, Trump highlighted a judge's refusal to block ICE operations as validation for federal agents to continue their activities. He affirmed that ICE would persist in removing "violent and vicious criminals" from Minnesota.

There has been no immediate response from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz or Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to Trump's statements. The situation arises amid heightened immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, following allegations of widespread fraud linked to publicly funded day care centers in Minneapolis, which local officials deny.

Tensions escalated after an ICE officer fatally shot a US citizen in Minneapolis, spurring political backlash and calls for Minnesota officials to engage in an FBI investigation. Since his inauguration in January 2025, Trump has frequently deployed or proposed deploying National Guard units to combat urban crime and support law enforcement in various cities, including Washington, New Orleans, and Memphis.