Around 1,500 US Soldiers Placed on Standby Amid Minnesota Protests

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Washington: The Pentagon has placed approximately 1,500 active-duty U.S. soldiers on standby for a potential deployment to Minnesota, where large protests have erupted amid federal immigration enforcement operations, U.S. defense officials said.

 The troops, drawn from the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska, were given prepare-to-deploy orders in recent days as tensions continue in Minneapolis following demonstrations over the federal government’s immigration policies. It remains unclear whether the soldiers will ultimately be sent to the state.

 Officials said the standby status would allow the military to respond quickly if ordered by President Donald Trump potentially under the Insurrection Act, a scarcely used law that would permit the deployment of active-duty forces for domestic law enforcement purposes. The Pentagon has emphasized that no final deployment decision has been made.

 The possible military readiness follows escalating protests after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, which has sparked both demonstrations and clashes with federal agents. Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz, have urged restraint and appealed to avoid further escalation.