Trump Comments on Insurrection Act Amid Minneapolis Clashes

On Friday, President Donald Trump noted that there’s currently no reason to invoke the Insurrection Act, even as clashes between rioters and federal immigration agents continue in Minneapolis. He made this statement while leaving the White House, responding to questions about the 1807 law he had hinted at using earlier in the week.

“I think it was Bush, President Bush. I think he used it 28 times,” Trump said to reporters, emphasizing that the law has been employed often in the past. He added, “If we need it, we’ll use it. I don’t think there’s any reason to use it right now, but if we need it, we’ll use it. It’s very powerful.” The Insurrection Act permits the president to deploy the military to handle uprisings and enforce federal laws, which could allow Trump to mobilize the National Guard or active-duty troops to restore order, temporarily bypassing restrictions in the Posse Comitatus Act that limit military involvement in domestic law enforcement.

The last significant use of this law was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots triggered by the acquittal of officers involved in the Rodney King case.

Amidst Trump’s threats, some members of his party have expressed doubts about the need for such measures. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) suggested that he was hopeful local police would be able to manage the situation. “We hope that not only federal law enforcement, ICE, and other agencies, but also local authorities working with local law enforcement, can resolve the situation,” he mentioned to the press.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also questioned the appropriateness of invoking the Insurrection Act. Alabama Sen. Lisa Murkowski voiced her concerns, highlighting the need for caution. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, characterized the “troublemakers” confronting federal officers as often being “highly paid professionals.” He criticized local leaders, saying they were “completely out of control,” and warned that if he had to take action, he would do so swiftly and effectively.

Trump has accused Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of inflaming tensions and contributing to the violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. “If Minnesota’s corrupt politicians don’t abide by the law and stop the work of professional agitators and insurrectionists, I will do what so many presidents have done before and enact the Insurrection Act,” he asserted on Truth Social.