MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Around 1,500 active duty soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska have been placed on standby, at the ready for possible deployment in Minnesota, by Pentagon officials, according to published reports.
The soldiers are based at one of the U.S. Army's premier infantry formations at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, according to ABC, which first reported the possible deployment.
The president has not made a final decision on whether to deploy the soldiers, one official told the outlet.
Gov. Tim Waltz mobilized the National Guard on Saturday, CNN reported.
An official told the outlet that the troops' presence could include crowd control or law enforcement support, like the forces did in Los Angeles last year.
Military officials said they have options prepared for President Donald Trump, according to the outlet.
In a statement to Patch, the White House said it's "typical" for the Pentagon "to be prepared for any decision the President may or may not make.
There have been protests in Minneapolis challenging Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents' use of force, with residents clashing with law enforcement since the death of Renee Good on Jan. 7.
Source: https://patch.com/minnesota/minneapolis/1-500-active-duty-troops-standby-ready-possible-deployment-minneapolis-reports
