Breaking — Trump Threatens Military Deployment Against Minneapolis. His Deputy AG Calls the Governor a "Terrorist."

The last time it was used against a governor, it was to protect civil rights.

While others stenograph, grift, or chase the next distraction—this is the news that matters and how it’s connected.

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Last night, federal agents tear-gassed a car full of children—including a six-month-old baby—and refused to call an ambulance when the father begged for help.

Today, the president threatened to send in the military.

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT,” Trump wrote on social media.¹ ²

The "insurrectionists" he's referring to? Not the 1,600 who attacked the Capitol on January 6, whom he pardoned. Residents blowing whistles and banging tambourines.² Parents trying to get their children to safety. Americans exercising their constitutional right to protest after federal agents killed Renee Good—a U.S. citizen—eight days ago.

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“By Whatever Means Necessary”

But it’s not just Trump. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—the second-highest law enforcement official in the country—went further.

“Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement,” Blanche posted. “Walz and Frey—I’m focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It’s a promise.“¹

Read that again. The Deputy Attorney General of the United States just called a sitting governor a terrorist and promised to stop him “by whatever means necessary.”

Governor Walz's response? He called it "a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government."¹ Mayor Frey—who told ICE to "get the f--- out" of Minneapolis after the Good shooting—said "the situation we are seeing in our city is not sustainable."¹

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The Escalation

Agents tear-gassed a family trying to flee—six children hospitalized, the youngest six months old. They shot a second person—a Venezuelan man they claim fled a traffic stop.¹ ² DHS says bystanders attacked the officer with a broomstick and snow shovel. Reuters could not verify that account.²

Here’s the timeline:

• January 7: ICE agent Jonathan Ross shoots Renee Good in the head

• January 14: Federal agents tear-gas a car with six children

• January 15: Federal agents shoot a Venezuelan man

• January 15: Trump threatens military deployment

Each atrocity produces protests. Each protest produces more force. Each escalation justifies the next. That’s not incompetence. That’s the playbook.

The Insurrection Act has been invoked 30 times in American history.² The last time was 1992—when President George H.W. Bush deployed troops during the LA riots at the governor’s request.¹ It hasn’t been used against a governor’s wishes since the 1960s, when Eisenhower and Kennedy used it to desegregate schools.¹

Trump isn't talking about helping Minnesota. He's talking about conquering it. With 3,000 federal officers already deployed in military-style gear, the Insurrection Act wouldn't start an occupation—it would formalize one already underway.²

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There’s more below, but first: If tracking the slide toward military occupation matters, please consider supporting The American Manifesto. Paid subscriptions make it possible to document this in real time.

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The Pattern

We’ve been mapping this administration against the fascism syndrome—ten indicators that a democracy is backsliding into fascism:

• Normalization of political violence: Tear gas on children. Two shootings in eight days. Now the threat of military deployment—not to protect civil rights, but to crush them.

• Weaponized justice: The Deputy AG labels resistance to ICE brutality “terrorism”—a legal designation that triggers extraordinary powers. This isn't name-calling. It's legal pretext.

• Aggression as virtue: Trump called the Somali community “garbage.”² Hours after agents gassed a baby, he called them “Patriots.” The brutality is the brand.

Yesterday they gassed babies. Today they threaten soldiers.

Eisenhower used the Insurrection Act to protect children. Trump wants to use it to protect the agents who gas babies and shoot moms in the head.

Want to understand how we got here?

The Freedom Illusion — Part I

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Your Move

• When the Deputy AG promises to stop elected officials “by whatever means necessary,” what does that mean?

• What does it mean when the president threatens military force against a state for protecting its residents?

• How many shootings, how many gassed children, before this is called what it is?t is?

1. Alexandra Hutzler, “Tensions escalate as Trump threatens Insurrection Act, Blanche accuses Minnesota governor of ‘terrorism’“, ABC News, January 15, 2026.

Documents Trump’s Insurrection Act threat and Deputy AG Blanche’s statement calling Walz and Frey terrorists, promising to stop them “by whatever means necessary.” Includes Walz calling it “organized brutality” and Frey telling ICE to “get the f--- out.” Notes the Act was last used in 1992 at the governor’s request, and hasn’t been used against a governor since the 1960s.

2. Doina Chiacu, “Trump threatens to use military over Minnesota anti-ICE protests“, Reuters, January 15, 2026.

Reports Trump’s threat came hours after a second shooting involving federal agents. Documents Trump calling the Somali community “garbage.” Notes 3,000 federal officers already deployed with military-style gear. Reuters could not verify DHS’s account of the second shooting. Cites Brennan Center data on Insurrection Act’s 30 uses in history.