Pentagon Prepares 1,500 Soldiers for Possible Deployment to Minnesota
The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty US soldiers to prepare for potential deployment to Minnesota amid ongoing protests against the Trump administration's deportation policies. The soldiers belong to two infantry battalions of the 11th Airborne Division, based in Alaska. The deployment is a precautionary measure in case violence escalates during the protests. Additionally, the FBI is requesting agents nationwide to volunteer for temporary duty in Minneapolis, although their specific tasks remain unclear. The situation has intensified following the shooting of a woman by an officer on January 7, which has made the city a focal point for anti-ICE protests. The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have also increased their presence in the area.
Published 1 day ago • 18 Jan 2026, 01:05 PM IST