The specter of martial law is hanging over Minneapolis. In a dawn tirade on Truth Social, President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act—a centuries-old law allowing the deployment of active-duty military on US soil—to crush growing protests against federal immigration agents.

The threat marks a dangerous escalation in the standoff between the White House and Democratic-led states. Minneapolis has been a powder keg since last week, when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good. The situation exploded again on Wednesday night after another federal officer shot a Venezuelan man during a traffic stop, prompting fierce clashes between residents and law enforcement.

"End the Travesty"

President Trump did not mince words. "If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators... I will quickly put an end to the travesty," he posted. Invoking the Insurrection Act would bypass Governor Tim Walz, effectively placing the city under federal military control—a move not seen since the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

• The Flashpoint: The latest shooting occurred in North Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security claims the suspect, an undocumented Venezuelan national, attacked an officer with a shovel. Local witnesses dispute the severity of the confrontation, fueling the rage on the streets.
• State vs. Federal: Governor Walz has urged calm but fired a salvo at Washington, stating, "What Donald Trump wants is violence in the streets. Minnesota will remain an island of decency."

Echoes of History

For observers in Nairobi and across Africa, the images of militarized police facing off against civilians in the US are jarringly familiar. The potential deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division to an American city signals a fracturing of the social contract. If Trump follows through, it will redefine the limits of presidential power and likely spark nationwide unrest.