The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday, alleging the unlawful use of federal law enforcement against protesters in Minneapolis. The suit, brought on behalf of three U.S. citizens, claims the Trump administration misused federal agents, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), during recent protests.
The lawsuit stems from encounters between the plaintiffs and ICE agents during demonstrations against federal immigration policies. According to the ACLU, the Trump administration deployed federal agents to quell protests, exceeding their legal authority. "The administration's actions are a clear violation of the First Amendment rights of these individuals," the ACLU stated in a press release.
The legal action comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, where protests have erupted in response to ICE raids. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino told Fox News that recent arrests were made outside the federal building housing ICE. Federal agents also deployed tear gas to disperse protesters.
The lawsuit coincides with President Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, a law that allows the president to use the military domestically to suppress an invasion or rebellion. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called on Trump via social media to de-escalate the situation. However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Walz and the president had not spoken on Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also addressed the situation during a meeting with President Trump, warning that ICE raids are dangerous and put more people at risk. The ACLU's lawsuit seeks to prevent the Trump administration from deploying federal agents in a manner that violates constitutional rights. The case is expected to proceed in the coming weeks, with legal experts anticipating a focus on the scope of federal authority in managing domestic protests.
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