WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Donald Trump Threatens the Insurrection Act in Minnesota
Jan 15, 2026
Amid rising violence in Minnesota, a notable discussion arises around Donald Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, putting military action on the table. The hosts explore whether this escalatory rhetoric will worsen the situation already fraught with tension. Governor Tim Walz calls for peaceful protests, yet encourages monitoring ICE activities through filming. The debate hinges on the thin line between peaceful observation and instigating chaos, as officials grapple with public sentiment and the precarious implications of immigration policy.
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Escalation From Rhetoric And Mobilization
- The clash in Minneapolis stems from both federal ICE operations and energized local opposition, escalating risks on both sides.
- Kim Strassel warns that heated rhetoric and mobilization are increasing unlawful obstruction and physical danger.
Know Your Rights — And Their Limits
- Do understand your rights and limits when protesting; peaceful filming is protected but obstructing arrests risks arrest.
- Kim Strassel cautions that civil disobedience can lawfully lead to detention and personal danger.
Insurrection Act Is For Wholesale Disorder
- Invoking the Insurrection Act would be an extreme escalation suited to wholesale breakdowns of local control, not isolated clashes.
- Kim Strassel argues the statute is meant for massive disorder, not routine enforcement confrontations.