In a comprehensive interview with Reuters on January 14, 2026, President Donald Trump brought up issues about the impending midterm elections and made a threat of military intervention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This comes amidst rising tensions between federal immigration enforcement and Minnesota officials.
The 79-year-old leader expressed to Reuters his belief that “we shouldn’t even have an election” in reference to the upcoming November midterms. Historically, presidents’ parties often lose congressional seats during midterm elections, which seems to be a source of Trump’s frustration. He highlighted his administration’s achievements and questioned the necessity of the electoral process.
Trump issued a warning from the Oval Office, stating he would put the Insurrection Act into effect against Minnesota if state and local officials fail to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement operations. This threat followed a second shooting involving federal officers conducting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Minneapolis within a week.
A federal officer shot an individual who, according to authorities, evaded a traffic stop and attacked the officer alongside two others. This incident occurred only a week after Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot by an ICE agent.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Good tried to run over law enforcement officers, but this account was contested by local officials. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz harshly criticized the presence of federal law enforcement, describing it as “a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.”
Walz encouraged Minnesota residents to “protest loudly, urgently, but also peacefully.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey demanded that ICE leave Minneapolis, referring to the current circumstances as “not sustainable.”
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche escalated the conflict by accusing Walz and Frey of terrorism. Blanche vowed to curtail the Democratic officials “by whatever means necessary,” framing his statement as “not a threat” but “a promise.” He held the Minnesota governor and Minneapolis mayor responsible for “encouraging violence against law enforcement.”
Trump had previously threatened to enact the Insurrection Act during protests in Los Angeles, California, over his administration’s immigration crackdown and National Guard deployment. This 1807 law, which has not been used for several decades, allows for military deployment on U.S. soil for specific reasons.
The last time the law was implemented was in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots at the request of the governor. The act has not been used without a governor’s coordination since the 1960s. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the Insurrection Act has been employed in response to 30 crises in its history.
Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy utilized the act to desegregate schools following pivotal Supreme Court rulings. The law enables the president to dispatch federal forces to quash insurrections within states under certain conditions.
During the Reuters interview, Trump also touched on other policy issues. He dismissed a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing only four percent of Americans support his plan to annex Greenland, labeling the survey “fake.” Despite this, the president expressed his aspiration to acquire the territory but did not provide a specific timeline or strategy.
Trump remained vague about future plans regarding Iran while promising aid to Iranian protesters. He hinted at a cessation of killings in the country but did not provide any tangible policy details.
In the interview, Trump also alluded to a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but he did not disclose extensive details about the probe. These comments about the Federal Reserve chair have added to the ongoing tension between the White House and the independent central banking system.
Throughout the interview, Trump showcased his approach to policy decisions, suggesting he follows his gut instincts on major issues. Despite polling indicating limited public backing for certain initiatives, the president expressed confidence in his administration’s direction. He stated, “A lot of times, you can’t convince a voter. You have to just do what’s right.”
The situation in Minneapolis signifies a significant intensification in the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Federal agents conducting ICE operations have met resistance from local and state officials who deem the tactics as too aggressive and potentially harmful to community safety. Almost 3,000 federal immigration agents have been sent to the Twin Cities, more than the combined police forces of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Minnesota officials maintain that the federal enforcement actions have created an unsustainable situation that needs immediate resolution. The standoff between state authorities and the Trump administration shows no signs of easing as both sides solidify their positions.
Republican Party officials have chiefly remained silent on Trump’s comments about potentially axing midterm elections, while the threat to deploy military forces domestically has raised alarm among civil liberties organizations. The Brennan Center for Justice has historically monitored uses of the Insurrection Act and its implications for federal-state relations.
As tensions persist in Minneapolis, both federal and state officials are under pressure to resolve the crisis without further violence. Walz declared January 9, 2026, as “Renee Good Day.” The result of this standoff may lay down precedents for how immigration enforcement operations are conducted in cities and states that defy federal directives.
