Trump orders 1,500 soldiers to prepare for possible Minnesota deployment

WASHINGTON, DC: The Pentagon has directed roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers stationed in Alaska to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, two defense officials confirmed on Sunday, January 18. The move signals a firmer posture from the White House as friction grows between federal authorities and local leaders following recent ICE-involved shootings.

The order covers two battalions from the 11th Airborne Division, with additional units expected to provide logistical support if a deployment proceeds. While no final movement orders have been issued, the preparation directive indicates that the administration is positioning forces for potential domestic use.

Arctic soldiers trained for cold conditions

The two infantry battalions selected are trained primarily for Arctic operations and Indo-Pacific missions, both priorities for the Trump administration. Defense officials said that the troops are not specialized in crowd control, but are equipped to operate in extreme cold.

That capability aligns with current winter conditions in Minnesota. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the preparations reflect internal planning tied to a range of contingencies.

'Insurrection Act' threat looms over Minneapolis

President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of invoking the 'Insurrection Act' to address protests in Minneapolis. The unrest began earlier this month after ICE officers shot two civilians, killing Renee Good, an American citizen, and wounding Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan migrant.

Although Trump said on Friday that there was no need to invoke the law “right now,” the order to ready active-duty battalions points to a shift in posture. ABC News first reported the preparations.

Mayor Jacob Frey calls deployment a 'shocking step'

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the prospect of federal escalation during an appearance on NBC’s 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, calling any deployment of active-duty troops a “shocking step” and noting that crime in the city is down.

“We don’t need more federal agents to keep people safe,” Frey said. He argued that the unrest was driven by federal tactics, adding, “You know what’s causing more chaos? Having these thousands of ICE agents and Border Control and apparently military, even, potentially on our streets.”

Frey said protests have followed agents stopping residents and demanding proof of citizenship.

Tensions flare over recent shootings

The situation mirrors earlier clashes between Washington and state leaders. In June, Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles over objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the National Guard in support of local law enforcement but has not deployed them.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said “the Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief,” a position echoed by White House officials regarding the president’s authority.