CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig weighed in on President Donald Trump’s potential action regarding the unrest in Minnesota. On Monday, he elaborated that Trump holds the authority to invoke the Insurrection Act—a measure that permits the deployment of military resources to handle civil disturbances. This is not a light decision; Honig characterized it as “a very dramatic step.”
During an appearance on “CNN News Central,” Honig explained the breadth of the Insurrection Act. He noted, “This is a law that allows the president essentially to take our military forces, and I don’t mean National Guard, I mean Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and turn them into local police, local law enforcement, which ordinarily is not permitted.” This highlights the significant authority given to the president under these circumstances. However, he also cautioned that utilizing it would be “wildly out of step with the way it’s been invoked over our history.”
Honig pointed out that the Insurrection Act gives the president broad powers that go beyond immediate civil disorder. The legal framework allows intervention “even if it’s necessary to enforce federal laws.” This means that Trump’s authority to act could be seen as merited if unrest continues.
Trump had indeed mentioned the Insurrection Act, indicating it could be his response should Minnesota leaders fail to control what he termed “professional agitators and insurrectionists” attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Despite this strong language, he stressed to reporters on Friday that invoking the law was not currently needed.
In a stark reflection of the situation, the Pentagon put 200 Texas National Guard troops on standby. This move suggests a heightened readiness to respond swiftly if Trump decides to act. The unrest in Minnesota is part of larger tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, triggered by tragic events leading to protests.
The protests arose following the death of Renee Good, who was killed after hitting an ICE agent with her vehicle. This incident sparked backlash, especially as the situation escalated into confrontations. Notably, one ICE agent ended up shooting an illegal Venezuelan national in the leg when attacked with a snow shovel by three individuals, further fueling tensions.
Amidst this unrest, the Department of Homeland Security has deployed about 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota. This operation is touted as the largest immigration enforcement effort in U.S. history. Reactions from local politicians, particularly Democrats, have intensified in response to the situation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sharply addressed ICE at a press conference, telling them to “get the f*** out” of his city. Likewise, Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar drew parallels between ICE operations and experiences in her native Somalia, expressing incredulity over the situation unfolding in what she called her “g**damn United States.”
The escalating conflict sheds light on deep divisions regarding immigration enforcement and the authority of federal agencies. As Trump contemplates invoking the Insurrection Act, the implications of such a move resonate widely, wrestling with historical precedent and current unrest in Minnesota.
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