Trump Orders 1,500 Troops Ready for Possible Deployment to Minnesota
By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be prepared in case of a potential deployment to Minnesota, where federal authorities have been conducting a significant immigration enforcement operation, according to two defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska and specialized in arctic operations, have been given prepare-to-deploy orders, the officials revealed.
The troops are on standby to deploy to Minnesota if President Donald Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, a law that would allow the use of active-duty troops for law enforcement purposes, one defense official stated.
This development follows Trump’s recent threat to use the Insurrection Act to suppress protests against his administration’s immigration policies.
Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell did not deny the issuance of the orders, stating that the military is always ready to carry out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon.
Trump mentioned in a social media post that he would consider invoking the 1807 law if the situation in Minnesota escalates, but later backtracked, stating that there was no immediate need to use it.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, including during the George Floyd protests and immigration-related demonstrations.
The Insurrection Act was last used by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 to address unrest in Los Angeles following the Rodney King incident.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has urged Trump to refrain from sending additional troops, calling for a de-escalation of tensions.
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