What Is The Insurrection Act, And Why Is Trump Threatening To Invoke It In Minnesota?

CBS News, CBS Minnesota

January 16, 2026

Washington — President Trump said Thursday he might invoke a centuries-old law known as the Insurrection Act to send troops into Minnesota, threatening a major escalation between the federal government and state officials.

"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State," the president wrote on Truth Social.

Mr. Trump's threat comes amid protests over the deadly shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and increased tensions over immigration operations in the Twin Cities. The administration has sent thousands of federal law enforcement agents to the state in recent weeks to investigate fraud and implement the latest phase of its immigration crackdown.

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