It’s happening folks! The U.S. Army’s 11th Airborn Division, nicknamed the “Arctic Angels” who specialize in frigid weather warfare, have just been notified that they should prepare for deployment to Minneapolis. The U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division (nicknamed the Arctic Angels) who specialize in frigidWeather warfare asked to Prepare to deploy To Minneapolis ! pic.twitter.com/teY5yZrfTB — Fletch17 (@RealFletch17) January 18, 2026 This appears to be the precursor to President Trump invoking the Insurrection Act, which could come at any moment. Military.com confirms the report: The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be ready in case of a possible deployment to Minnesota, where federal authorities have been conducting a massive immigration enforcement operation, two defense officials said Sunday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said two infantry battalions of the Army’s 11th Airborne Division have been given prepare-to-deploy orders. The unit is based in Alaska and specializes in operating in arctic conditions. One defense official said the troops are standing by to deploy to Minnesota should President Donald Trump invoke the Insurrection Act, a rarely used 19th century law that would allow him to employ active duty troops as law enforcement. The move comes just days after Trump threatened to do just that to quell protests against his administration’s immigration crackdown. In an emailed statement, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell did not deny the orders were issued and said the military “is always prepared to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief if called upon.” ABC News was the first to report the development. On Thursday, Trump said in a social media post that he would invoke the 1807 law “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.” He appeared to walk back the threat a day later, telling reporters at the White House that there wasn’t a reason to use it “right now.” “If I needed it, I’d use it,” Trump said. “It’s very powerful.” The Minnesota National Guard put up this Facebook post: Members of the Minnesota National Guard are on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies. If our members are activated, they will be wearing reflective vests, as pictured here, to help distinguish them from other agencies in similar uniforms. These Minnesota National Guardsmen live, work, and serve in our state, and are focused on protecting life, preserving property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights. Local ABC5 says this would comprise two battalions: Officials have reportedly informed ABC News that two battalions have been put on alert for a possible deployment to Minneapolis. According to ABC News, two defense officals has informed them that two battalions from the 11th Airborne Division have been put on alert for a potential deployment to Minnesota. The 11th Airborne Division, stationed in Alaska, is reportedly one of the Army’s top infantry units, and plays a key role in deterring China in the Pacific. Their deployment, should it occur, would be to support federal law enforcement in Minneapolis as protests continue across the Twin Cities against the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. However, one official has told ABC News that President Trump has not yet decided whether those paratroopers will be deployed. “We are taking prudent steps to prepare active-duty army forces,” the official said. “This doesn’t mean they will deploy; we are preparing options.”