Up to 1,500 active-duty troops stationed in Alaska are on standby for potential deployment to Minnesota, according to a U.S. official who spoke with NPR. This development follows increased pressure from the Trump administration on the state, including threats to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell ongoing protests in Minneapolis.

The protests, largely organized by anti-ICE activists, persisted throughout the weekend despite plummeting temperatures. The potential deployment raises concerns about federal intervention in state affairs and the potential for escalating tensions between protesters and federal forces.

The Insurrection Act, if invoked, would grant the President broad authority to use the military to suppress civil disorder. The Trump administration's repeated threats to use the act in response to protests have been met with criticism from legal scholars and civil rights advocates, who argue that such action would undermine states' rights and potentially violate constitutional protections.

Separately, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to establish a "Board of Peace," although details regarding its specific mandate and composition remain unclear. The purpose of the board, as suggested by the administration, is to explore and promote peaceful resolutions to international conflicts, particularly in regions like Gaza. However, critics express skepticism about the board's effectiveness, citing the administration's past foreign policy decisions and its perceived lack of commitment to multilateral diplomacy.

The situation in Minnesota remains fluid, with the potential for troop deployment contingent on the escalation of protests and the governor's response. The establishment of the Board of Peace is in its initial planning stages, with further announcements expected in the coming weeks. The potential impact of both developments on domestic and foreign policy remains to be seen.