The U.S military has placed approximately 1,500 active-duty U.S Army paratroopers stationed in Alaska on standby for a possible deployment to Minneapolis as protests intensified following the fatal shooting of a woman during a federal immigration enforcement operation, according to U.S. defense officials.
The troops come from two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division, based at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson near Anchorage.
Defense officials said the soldiers were ordered into a heightened readiness posture, allowing for rapid deployment if directed, though no final order to move the troops has yet been issued.
Unrest in Minneapolis
The directive comes amid growing unrest in Minneapolis after a January 7 incident in which an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, 37, during an enforcement action in south Minneapolis.
Federal authorities have said the officer fired after what he determined to be an immediate threat, while local and state officials have questioned the federal account and called for further investigation.
Demonstrations began shortly after the shooting and have continued for more than a week, drawing large crowds to downtown Minneapolis and areas surrounding federal buildings.
Protests have centered around the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, which houses offices of ICE and U.S Customs and Border Protection.
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The Department of Defense said the decision to place the Alaska-based troops on standby was part of planning in case of a serious incident and did not mean a deployment was imminent.
Officials said the readiness order was intended to ensure options were available if requested by civilian authorities.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Takes Action
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz placed the Minnesota National Guard on state alert following the surge in protests in Minneapolis, authorizing Guard leaders to prepare personnel and equipment for possible deployment.
State officials said thousands of Guard members were mobilized under state authority but were staged rather than sent directly onto city streets.
The governor’s office said the Guard’s mission would focus on supporting local law enforcement, protecting critical infrastructure, and preserving public safety if requested.
Walz held briefings with state public safety officials and maintained coordination with Minneapolis city leaders as demonstrations continued near federal facilities.
He urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and said the Guard’s presence was intended as a precautionary measure, and not a replacement for civilian law enforcement.
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Walz stated that state and local agencies retained primary responsibility for managing the unrest and confirmed that no request had been made for federal active‑duty troops to deploy to Minnesota at the time of the alert.
Trump’s Stance
President Donald Trump has warned that his administration will not allow federal officers or facilities to be targeted during immigration enforcement operations.
Trump said he may invoke the Insurrection Act if state and local authorities fail to control the situation.
The Insurrection Act is a U.S. federal law that gives the president authority to deploy active‑duty military forces or federalize National Guard units inside the United States under specific circumstances.
The law allows the president to use the armed forces to suppress insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful obstruction, or rebellion when such actions prevent state or federal authorities from enforcing the law.
He has stated, however, that there is no immediate plan to invoke the law.
The White House has confirmed that no final decision has been made to deploy the troops and that they remain on alert as part of contingency planning.
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