Trump Threatens to Invoke Insurrection Act Again Amid Protests

Former president's mentor Roy Cohn's lessons guide his aggressive tactics against critics and opponents.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Donald Trump is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act again to quell protests in Minneapolis and other blue state cities, following in the footsteps of his former mentor Roy Cohn's teachings of never retreating or admitting wrongdoing. Trump has made repeated threats to use the Insurrection Act since 2020, and with no 'grown-ups' left in his administration, he may be poised to take this drastic step, which would likely lead to a historic Supreme Court showdown.

Why it matters

Invoking the Insurrection Act would be an unprecedented and highly controversial move, granting the president broad powers to deploy the military for domestic law enforcement purposes. This could set off a major constitutional crisis and power struggle between the executive and judicial branches.

The details

Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act multiple times since 2020, in response to protests in cities like Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He has accused protesters of being 'agitators' and 'insurrectionists,' and has vowed to 'guard, and very powerfully so, any and all Federal Buildings' against attacks. Trump's aggressive tactics are guided by lessons he learned from his former mentor Roy Cohn, who taught him to never retreat or apologize.

  • In June 2020, Trump first vowed to use the Insurrection Act to quell mass demonstrations related to the murder of George Floyd.
  • On his first day of his second term in January 2023, Trump issued a presidential proclamation declaring a state of emergency at the southern border and directing the military to develop plans to combat the 'invasion' of 'cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, and unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries.'
  • In January 2026, Trump received a letter from the House Freedom Caucus urging him to use 'all tools necessary,' including the Insurrection Act, 'to maintain order' amid protests in Minneapolis.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act again to quell protests, following the lessons he learned from his former mentor Roy Cohn.

Roy Cohn

Trump's former mentor who taught him tactics like never retreating, apologizing, or admitting wrongdoing, and always remaining on the offensive.

Mark Milley

The former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman who reportedly restrained Trump from invoking the Insurrection Act in 2020.

Pete Hegseth

The current Defense Secretary who has been directed by Trump to develop plans for using the Insurrection Act.

Kristi Noem

The current Homeland Security head who has been directed by Trump to develop plans for using the Insurrection Act.

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What they’re saying

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don't obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“One apparent ramification of the court's opinion is that it could cause the president to use the US military more than the National Guard to protect federal personnel and property in the United States.”

— Brett Kavanaugh, Supreme Court Justice (Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Illinois)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to the protests in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

Trump's threats to invoke the Insurrection Act highlight his authoritarian tendencies and the dangers of unchecked executive power. His willingness to use the military against American citizens raises serious constitutional concerns and could lead to a major showdown with the Supreme Court.