The Minnesota National Guard has been placed on standby to support law enforcement as protests over the Trump administration’s immigration operations continue to escalate in Minneapolis.
Governor Tim Walz directed the mobilization of the Guard earlier this week, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Guard members are currently staging and preparing to assist local law enforcement and emergency management agencies but have not yet been deployed to city streets.
“Members of the Minnesota National Guard are on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies,” the Guard said in a social media post Saturday. “If our members are activated, they will be wearing reflective vests, as pictured here, to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms.” The post included an image of guardsmen wearing bright yellow vests, with faces blurred, standing ready in formation.
The Guard emphasized that its personnel “live, work, and serve in our state” and are focused on protecting life, preserving property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights.
The heightened presence comes amid an ongoing surge of federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Tensions have flared following the Jan. 7 shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during an immigration operation. In the days since, anti-ICE protests have intensified, with clashes reported between demonstrators and federal agents.
Multiple conservative demonstrators were seen being attacked during the protests, highlighting the volatility on the streets. Some Republicans have accused Governor Walz of inflaming the situation, with House GOP members warning that the governor’s remarks and mobilization plans risk escalating conflict.
Federal authorities have also opened probes into local officials, including Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, for allegedly impeding immigration enforcement operations. Both officials have denied wrongdoing, with Walz asserting that the Guard’s activation is meant to ensure public safety and protect peaceful protesters.
The Minnesota National Guard remains in a supportive role, prepared to respond if law enforcement requests assistance, but city streets remain under the control of local police. Officials emphasized the goal of balancing public safety with the right of residents to assemble and protest peacefully.
