Pentagon Prepares 1,500 Troops for Possible Deployment Amid Minnesota Immigration Protests

The Pentagon has placed about 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the Army's 11th Airborne Division on prepare-to-deploy orders for a possible mission to Minnesota amid ongoing protests against a federal immigration enforcement operation. The deployment is contingent on President Donald Trump invoking the Insurrection Act, which he threatened to use if state officials fail to control protesters targeting immigration officers. Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz, have opposed military involvement, citing concerns over escalating tensions. The protests intensified following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, with legal and political disputes ongoing.