Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, has launched a sharp critique against the U.S. Department of Defense following reports that approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers are preparing for a potential deployment to his city. The move comes amid a large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.
A Mayor's Defiance Against Military Deployment
During an interview on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, host Jake Tapper raised the issue of the soldiers, who are reportedly on standby. Mayor Frey did not mince words in his response. He characterized the Pentagon's order as "clearly designed to intimidate the people of Minneapolis." Frey asserted that the city would not be cowed, stating, "We're not going to be intimidated."
The mayor argued that if public safety was the genuine objective, there are numerous existing local mechanisms to achieve it. He insisted that the "best way to get safety is not to have an influx of even more agents, and in this case, [the] military in Minneapolis." Frey highlighted the disparity in numbers, noting, "Right now we have about 600 police officers, and they've got 3,000 or so ICE agents and Border Patrol." He deemed the discussion of adding 1,500 military personnel as "ridiculous."
The Political Context: Trump's Threat and the Insurrection Act
The Pentagon's readiness order follows a direct threat from former President Donald Trump. On January 15, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would consider invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 if Minnesota officials did not curb protests against federal immigration officers.
In his post, Trump targeted "the corrupt politicians of Minnesota," demanding they stop "professional agitators and insurrectionists" from attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. He wrote, "I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT... and quickly put an end to the travesty." This 19th-century law grants a president the authority to deploy the U.S. military domestically to suppress civil disorder, a power last used by President George H.W. Bush during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later supported Trump's stance, telling reporters at the White House that the former president "certainly has the constitutional authority to utilize that" act.
Frey's Characterization of an 'Occupying Force'
In a separate interview on CBS's Face the Nation, Mayor Frey stood by his earlier description of the federal presence as an "occupying force." When host Margaret Brennan questioned if that language was excessive, Frey was unequivocal.
"When you have 3,000 ICE agents and [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] come to your city, when you've got this supposed threat of 1,500 military coming to your city, yeah, that's very much what it feels like," he responded. Frey expressed disbelief at the situation, adding, "I never thought in a million years that we would be invaded by our own federal government."
He concluded by reiterating that the current federal strategy is counterproductive, stating plainly, "if the goal were safety, this is not how you get there." The escalating tension between Minneapolis city leadership and federal authorities sets the stage for a significant confrontation over jurisdiction, immigration policy, and the domestic use of military power.
