Minneapolis — The United States military has placed around 1,500 active-duty soldiers on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, a city that has seen ongoing protests following a controversial shooting by a federal immigration agent.
According to a U.S. defense official speaking to CBS News, the troops are currently stationed in Alaska and could be sent to Minneapolis if President Donald Trump decides to use active-duty military personnel to help manage unrest linked to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
No formal decision has yet been made on whether the soldiers will actually be deployed. The official described the readiness order as precautionary planning amid rising tensions in the city.
The heightened alert comes after a federal ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good earlier this month, which triggered large protests and clashes between demonstrators, local residents, and federal law enforcement. Thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations, some of which have grown heated, while authorities have repeatedly urged protesters to remain peaceful.
In response to the unrest, the Minnesota National Guard has also been mobilized by the state’s governor, though guardsmen have not been deployed to city streets.
President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act — a rarely used federal law that would allow him to send troops domestically — if state and local officials cannot maintain order and protect federal agents.
The situation remains fluid as authorities weigh options for dealing with the ongoing protests linked to immigration enforcement and public safety concerns.
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