Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said President Donald Trump has clear legal authority to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to the unrest in Minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of a man by a federal law enforcement agent earlier Saturday. Speaking on Newsmax’s “The Count,” Wolf said the issue is no longer about legality — it’s about timing.
“Well, I think there’s certainly a legal basis for him to do it, given the events over today and really the last couple of weeks,” Wolf said. “I don’t think there’s a legal issue any longer. It’s just a question for the president politically on when he wants to do that.” In Washington terms, that’s called having the receipts.
Trump sharply criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing their anti-ICE rhetoric of “inciting insurrection” and laying the groundwork for possible federal action. Walz responded by activating the National Guard after protests erupted following the shooting.
Wolf questioned how the Guard was being deployed, saying he had heard troops were protecting local police facilities — but not federal law enforcement or ICE agents. “We need to watch the deployment of these National Guard by the governor,” he said, adding that it was critical to ensure ICE officers remain protected on the ground. Apparently, selective protection is now a thing.
Wolf also took aim at Walz and Frey for their public responses, calling them “unserious individuals.” “They are embarking on a campaign of disinformation,” Wolf said, adding that they should be investigated and potentially prosecuted if any laws were broken. Strong words, but leadership during a crisis tends to matter.
He singled out Walz for claiming the Department of Homeland Security is not a law enforcement agency. Wolf said that statement was flatly false. DHS, he noted, is the largest law enforcement agency in the country, with more than 70,000 officers. Facts can be stubborn like that.
When asked about local police, Wolf said officers were trapped between doing their jobs and obeying city and state leadership. “I think they’re in a very difficult situation,” he said. “They want to help federal law enforcement. They can’t because of the mayor and the governor’s policies.” Not exactly a recipe for order.
Wolf also pointed out the conflicting messages coming from city and state officials as violence increased. “Which is it? Are they peacefully protesting, or is it getting so violent that you have to give up the intersection where this unfortunate incident happened, and you can’t conduct an investigation?” he asked. He said the confusion proves leadership has failed. “They have lost control of their city. They have lost control of any type of messaging here.”
Despite political pressure to halt operations, Wolf said federal immigration enforcement will continue. “ICE isn’t going anywhere,” he said. “They’re going to continue to do their mission.”
While local leaders send mixed signals and riots flare, President Trump is weighing lawful options to restore order and protect federal officers. With the Constitution on his side and enforcement continuing, stability remains within reach — and the rule of law is still very much alive.
