Washington– The US Army has ordered dozens of additional active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minneapolis if necessary, a defense official said Wednesday, amid protests over… The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement campaign.
The defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive plans, confirmed that members of the Army Military Police Brigade stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina had received orders to prepare for deployment.
If deployed, troops would likely provide support Civil authorities in MinneapolisAccording to the official, who confirmed that such precautionary orders are issued regularly and do not necessarily mean that the forces will eventually leave.
About 1,500 soldiers are on active duty From the Army’s 11th Airborne Division stationed in Alaska, they also received similar reserve orders. President Donald Trump threatened to subpoena Insurrection lawa rarely used law dating back to the 19th century that allows active duty troops to be used as law enforcement officials.
The threat came in the wake of protests that erupted in Minneapolis after a federal immigration officer killed resident Rene Judd on January 7. Trump quickly appeared to back away from the threat, telling reporters the next day that there was no reason to use the law “right now.”
“If I need it, I’ll use it,” Trump said. “It’s too strong.”
When asked about the latest requests, which MS Now reported earlier, the Pentagon said it had no information to provide at this time.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and frequent target of Trump, urged the president to refrain from sending more troops, In a statement TuesdayHe invited him to visit Minnesota and “help restore calm and order and reaffirm that true public safety comes from common purpose, trust and respect.”
In his second term, Trump succeeded Pushed traditional boundaries By using troops in US cities, often over the objections of local officials, amid federal operations targeting illegal immigration and crime.
Trump deployed federal National Guard troops to Los Angeles last June after demonstrators took to the streets in response to a campaign of immigration arrests. Eventually, he sent about 4,000 Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines to guard federal buildings and later to protect federal agents as they arrested immigrants.
He also mobilized Guard forces in places like Chicago and Portland, Oregon, but faced a series of legal setbacks. Trump said last December that he was Drop that payment At present.