The Pentagon has issued orders for 1,500 active-duty soldiers in Alaska to prepare for a potential deployment to Minnesota as tensions rise in Minneapolis over recent protests.
On Sunday, two defense officials, speaking anonymously due to internal deliberations, confirmed the directive involving two battalions from the 11th Airborne Division. Additional troops from other units nationwide may join for logistic support if needed. The move comes amid escalating unrest in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of an American citizen, Renee Good, and the wounding of a Venezuelan migrant, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, by ICE agents this month.
While the troops have not yet been ordered to deploy, the preparation signals a shift after President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to address the protests. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have expressed reservations, with Walz already mobilizing the state’s National Guard, though not deploying them. The Department of Homeland Security defended the ICE actions, claiming the agents faced threats, while Democrats and local officials argue the federal presence is unwarranted.
The protests erupted after ICE agents’ actions led to tragedy, with thousands reportedly stopping citizens on the streets to demand proof of citizenship, according to Just the News. It’s a mess that’s left many questioning whether Washington should be stepping in at all.
Mayor Frey didn’t hold back on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, declaring that deploying active-duty troops “would be a shocking step.” He’s got a point—crime is down in Minneapolis, so why pile on more federal boots? It’s hard to see this as anything but an overreach when local leaders are already handling the unrest.
Frey went further, arguing, “You know what’s causing more chaos? Having these thousands of ICE agents and Border Control and apparently military, even, potentially on our streets.” His frustration mirrors a broader concern: federal intervention often escalates tensions rather than calms them.
President Trump has a track record of sending federal forces into hot zones despite local pushback. Recall June, when 4,000 National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines were deployed to Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests, over Governor Gavin Newsom’s objections. He’s also kept over 2,600 Guard members in Washington, D.C., extending that mission through the end of this year.
Back to Minnesota—these Alaska troops, trained for Arctic and Indo-Pacific operations, aren’t even equipped for crowd control. Their cold-weather skills might suit Minnesota’s climate, but deploying soldiers unprepared for urban unrest feels like a recipe for trouble. Are we solving a problem or creating a bigger one?
The White House seems to be playing it cool for now. A senior official noted, “It’s typical for the Department of War to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.” That’s fair, but preparedness shouldn’t mean ignoring the risks of inflaming an already volatile situation.
Governor Walz has kept the Minnesota National Guard on standby, a cautious move that avoids further militarization of the streets. Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s spokesperson, Sean Parnell, affirmed readiness to follow the Commander-in-Chief’s orders if called upon. It’s a stark reminder of the chain of command, whether locals like it or not.
Let’s not forget the root of this unrest: ICE operations that ended in bloodshed. The DHS insists its agents were threatened, but local leaders and Democrats dispute that narrative, arguing federal agents shouldn’t have been in Minneapolis to begin with. It’s a classic standoff between federal authority and state autonomy.
Trump himself said on Friday there’s no need to invoke the Insurrection Act “right now.” That hesitation might be wise—rushing troops into a city already on edge could backfire spectacularly. Patience and dialogue, not firepower, might be the better play here.
The broader pattern of federal deployments under Trump—whether in D.C. or L.A.—shows a willingness to prioritize order over local objections. While security is paramount, there’s a fine line between protecting citizens and stifling their right to protest. Minnesota’s situation begs the question: when does federal help become federal overreach?
At the end of the day, Minneapolis doesn’t need more fuel on the fire. The protests, born from frustration over heavy-handed ICE tactics, deserve a response rooted in de-escalation, not military might. Let’s hope cooler heads prevail before Alaska’s soldiers set foot in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
