President Trump threatened Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota to quell protests sparked by the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent a week prior. The threat, posted on Truth Social, cited concerns over "professional agitators and insurrectionists" attacking ICE agents.

The Insurrection Act is a federal law, dating back to 1807, that empowers the President to deploy U.S. military troops on American soil to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, or rebellion. Trump stated that he would institute the act if Minnesota politicians did not "obey the law" and stop the alleged attacks on ICE agents.

The protests erupted after the death of Renee Macklin Good, 37, and intensified following a separate incident Wednesday evening where ICE agents in Minneapolis shot a Venezuelan immigrant in the leg during an attempted arrest. These events fueled nationwide demonstrations against ICE's presence in Minnesota and across the country.

The Insurrection Act has been invoked sparingly throughout U.S. history. According to legal scholars, its use is generally reserved for situations where state and local authorities are unable or unwilling to maintain order. Previous presidents, including Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Civil Rights Movement, have utilized the act.

Critics argue that invoking the Insurrection Act would represent an overreach of presidential power and an unnecessary militarization of domestic law enforcement. They contend that deploying the military against American citizens could escalate tensions and undermine constitutional rights to protest. Supporters, however, maintain that the act provides a necessary tool for the President to protect federal property and ensure public safety in extreme circumstances.

The governor of Minnesota has not yet responded directly to Trump's threat. Legal experts suggest that any attempt to invoke the Insurrection Act would likely face legal challenges, potentially leading to a protracted court battle over the scope of presidential authority. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing protests and heightened tensions between federal authorities and local communities.