Pentagon readies 1,500 troops to possibly deploy to Minnesota

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, the site of large protests against the government's deportation drive, U.S. media reported on Sunday.



The army placed the units on prepare-to-deploy orders in case violence in the northern state escalates, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed defense officials, adding that it is ‌not clear whether any of them will be sent.



The White House told the Post in a statement that it is typical for the Pentagon "to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make." The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.



President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to use the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces if officials in the state do not stop protesters from targeting immigration officials after a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.