The Pentagon has placed approximately 1,500 active-duty U.S. troops on standby for a potential deployment to Minnesota, according to multiple national media reports. The move follows days of unrest in Minneapolis after the death of Renee Good, a local woman who was killed during an encounter with an immigration agent.

While no official deployment order has been issued, the announcement has intensified national debate over the federal government’s response to protests, the limits of presidential power, and the use of military forces on American soil.

The standby order was first reported by ABC News and comes shortly after President Donald Trump publicly suggested he might invoke the Insurrection Act if protests escalated.

The Insurrection Act allows a U.S. president to deploy active-duty military forces inside the country to restore order during extreme civil unrest. However, Trump later told reporters that he currently sees “no reason” to use the law, signaling that the situation remains under review.

In a statement to TIME, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said:

The troops placed on standby reportedly belong to the 11th Airborne Division, a unit based in Alaska known for rapid-response and cold-weather operations.

Under U.S. law, active-duty soldiers cannot perform domestic law enforcement unless the Insurrection Act is officially invoked. This restriction exists to protect civil liberties and prevent the military from being used as a routine policing force.

The last major use of the Insurrection Act occurred in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush sent federal troops to Los Angeles following riots related to the Rodney King verdict.

Any military deployment to Minnesota would represent a major escalation in how the federal government handles domestic protests.

Minnesota officials have made it clear they do not want federal troops in their communities.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the potential deployment “a shocking step,” emphasizing that local authorities are capable of managing public safety.

Governor Tim Walz also urged de-escalation, posting on social media:

Both leaders stressed the importance of dialogue, calm, and cooperation rather than military involvement.

According to news reports, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched criminal investigations into public comments made by both Walz and Frey regarding the protests.

While the DOJ has not released full details, the investigations have raised concerns about political retaliation and the use of federal power against local officials during a sensitive moment.

Legal experts warn that such actions could increase tensions rather than reduce them.

Before any talk of military action, the Trump Administration had already sent 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents to Minneapolis.

The protests have largely remained peaceful, but federal agents have been accused of:

In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a 72-page lawsuit alleging violations of constitutional rights and racial profiling.

The lawsuit claims:

The case could set an important legal precedent for how immigration enforcement interacts with public demonstrations.

This is not the first time President Trump has relied on federal forces during his second term. Previous deployments include:

Supporters argue these actions help maintain order, while critics say they risk escalating tensions and undermining trust between communities and the government.

For now, the 1,500 troops remain on standby, and no formal order has been issued. Whether the Insurrection Act will be used depends on several factors, including:

Minnesota remains at the center of a national conversation about how to balance public safety, civil liberties, and federal authority during times of unrest.