In a moment that probably caused a few heads to explode in left-wing media circles, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig openly acknowledged Monday that President Donald Trump has broad authority to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to the growing unrest in Minnesota. When even CNN is conceding Trump’s legal footing, you know the law is not exactly on the protesters’ side.
Speaking on CNN News Central, Honig explained that while invoking the Insurrection Act would be a “dramatic step,” it is absolutely within the president’s power. The law allows a sitting president to deploy active-duty U.S. military forces—not just the National Guard—to restore order during rebellions, civil disorder, or when enforcing federal law becomes necessary.
“This is a law that allows the president essentially to take our military forces — and I don’t mean National Guard, I mean Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines — and turn them into local police,” Honig said, adding that the act gives the president “very broad authority.” In other words, Trump doesn’t need permission slips from cable news panels or blue-state mayors.
Honig went on to say that Trump could legally invoke the act if needed, though he claimed it would be “out of step” with historical usage. That’s one way of saying Trump is willing to do what others won’t when public safety is on the line.
The president floated the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act after warning that Minnesota politicians must stop “professional agitators and insurrectionists” who have been attacking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Trump clarified on Friday that the law is not currently necessary—but the warning shot was clear. According to The New York Times, the Pentagon has already placed 200 Texas National Guard troops on standby, just in case leadership is required.
The unrest stems from anti-ICE protests following the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot after hitting an ICE agent with her vehicle. In a separate incident, an ICE agent shot an illegal Venezuelan national in the leg after being attacked by three individuals wielding a snow shovel. Apparently, shovels are now part of the “peaceful protest” starter kit.
In response to escalating threats, roughly 3,000 federal agents have been deployed to Minnesota in what the Department of Homeland Security has described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. Predictably, Democrats have responded not by calming tensions, but by pouring gasoline on the fire.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to “get the fuck out” of his city during a Jan. 7 press conference—always a strong look for someone sworn to uphold the law. Rep. Ilhan Omar compared ICE operations to those in Somalia, saying she never thought she’d see something like this in the “goddamn United States.” Hyperbole, meet microphone.
Through it all, President Trump has remained clear-eyed and measured—asserting authority without rushing to use it, enforcing federal law while giving local leaders the chance to do their jobs. Even CNN admits the power is there if needed.
And that’s the takeaway: strong leadership doesn’t mean acting recklessly—it means being willing to act when others won’t. The law is on Trump’s side, order matters, and Americans can rest easier knowing there’s a president willing to protect both the Constitution and the country.
