Sen. Tina Smith warned that President Donald Trump's suggestion to invoke the Insurrection Act, among his several other actions in Minnesota, was tantamount to declaring war on her home state. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The Insurrection Act is a seldom-used executive power first created in 1807. It’s designed to allow the president to deploy the military to quell rebellions and enforce federal laws.
When asked about Trump’s threats to invoke the power, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said, "I think he’s threatened in other places, other states, too."
"We'll see what happens," Thune said. "Hopefully, local officials are working with federal law enforcement, ICE and other agencies, but also the local law enforcement officials being able to settle things down."
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, "We'll see what happens," regarding Trump's likelihood to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He later told reporters outside the White House that "if I needed it, I'd use it. I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have been major talking points in Congress, particularly after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent earlier this month.
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The latest DHS funding bill, which was tied into a four-bill $1.2 trillion spending package released Tuesday, includes several restrictions on funding for the agency, like detailed reports on operations, expenses, detention facilities and more, though it doesn’t slash its budget.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democrat-senator-accuses-trump-declaring-war-minnesota-insurrection-act-threat