Calls Mount for Trump to Invoke Insurrection Act Amid Minnesota ICE Enforcement Clash
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Tensions between state and federal authorities in Minnesota have escalated sharply following a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis that sparked violent protests and renewed calls for President Donald Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807. In a fiery opinion piece published on January 16, 2026, commentator Mike Davis condemned Governor Tim Walz’s handling of the situation, accusing him of defying federal immigration enforcement and allowing a climate of lawlessness to take hold in the state.
The conflict erupted after ICE agents conducted a targeted operation in Minneapolis, aiming to apprehend individuals with outstanding immigration violations. The operation quickly devolved into chaos as radical leftist protesters clashed with officers, throwing fireworks and vandalizing property. The unrest culminated in the fatal shooting of activist Renee Good, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the enforcement efforts.
Davis’s piece, featured on Fox News, paints a stark picture of Minnesota’s governance under Walz, alleging widespread corruption and incompetence, including a massive welfare fraud scandal estimated to exceed $9 billion. According to Davis, Walz’s administration has not only mishandled state affairs but has also openly declared Minnesota to be “at war” with the federal government by resisting cooperation with immigration enforcement agencies.
The author argues that sanctuary policies in Minnesota and other states severely undermine the ability of federal agencies like ICE to carry out their duties. These policies, which include refusing to honor federal detainers for illegal immigrants arrested for other crimes and failing to notify ICE when such individuals are released from state custody, have created dangerous conditions. ICE agents are forced to track fugitives on the streets rather than safely arresting them inside jails, exposing both officers and the public to unnecessary risks.
Davis calls for decisive federal intervention, urging President Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to restore order and support federal law enforcement efforts in Minnesota. The act, which grants the president authority to deploy military forces within the United States to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, and rebellion, has rarely been used but is seen by some as a necessary tool in the face of escalating unrest.
The situation in Minnesota echoes broader national debates over immigration enforcement and state-federal relations. The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly emphasized the importance of cooperation between local and federal authorities to maintain public safety and uphold immigration laws. However, sanctuary jurisdictions, including Minnesota, often cite concerns over community trust and civil rights as reasons for limiting collaboration with federal agencies.
Critics of sanctuary policies argue that these protections shield dangerous criminals—including murderers, pedophiles, drug dealers, and armed robbers—from deportation, thereby jeopardizing public safety. Supporters contend that such policies are vital to ensuring immigrant communities feel safe reporting crimes and accessing services without fear of federal immigration repercussions.
The recent Minneapolis protests have brought these tensions to a head, with violent confrontations underscoring the challenges faced by ICE agents operating in hostile environments. The Department of Justice has launched initiatives aimed at addressing crime in sanctuary jurisdictions, but the effectiveness of these efforts remains a subject of intense debate.
As Minnesota grapples with the fallout from the ICE operation and ongoing unrest, the call for federal intervention through the Insurrection Act signals a potential escalation in the federal government’s approach to enforcing immigration laws in resistant states. Whether President Trump will heed these calls remains uncertain, but the situation highlights the deep divisions over immigration policy and law enforcement in the United States today.
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