Soldiers are on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, a US defense official has told CBS News. The official stated that the 1,500 soldiers, who are currently stationed in Alaska, could be deployed if President Trump decides to utilize active military personnel as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue in the city.
No decision has been made regarding the soldiers' deployment, but officials are closely monitoring the situation.
Recent protests have been fueled by the death of US citizen Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent earlier this month. Minnesota officials have called for peaceful demonstrations in the wake of her death.
The soldiers are part of the 11th Airborne Division based at Fort Wainwright. In a recent interview, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the President's threat to send troops, describing the current presence of ICE agents as an 'occupying force'.
“When you have 3,000 ICE agents and border control come to the city, along with the possibility of 1,500 military, that feels very much like an occupation,” Frey remarked.
Last week, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, a seldom-used law that allows for the deployment of active-duty military for law enforcement purposes within the country.
This situation escalated following a ruling by a federal judge limiting the crowd control tactics that ICE agents can employ against peaceful protesters.
Protests have escalated nationwide in response to Good's death, with many carrying signs demanding 'Justice for Renee'. City leaders condemned the Trump administration's rhetoric surrounding the incident, which they argue undermines the call for justice and peace.
