The Daily Populous Sunday January 18th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by fox28spokane.com and submitted by speedythefirst

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Minnesota National Guard was mobilized on Saturday afternoon to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies, according to an announcement from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).

This development occurs amid the , referred to as “Operation Metro Surge” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS officials are reporting the operation as a major success, citing the arrests of the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota neighborhoods” including alleged thieves, drug traffickers and fraud perpetrators. Recent DHS statements have also claimed that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey “refuse to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and have released nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens” from custody.

Governor Walz, who directed the Minnesota National Guard to mobilize on Saturday, made a statement earlier in the week criticizing the intentions behind this latest crackdown operation in his state.

“Trump admits that this is nothing but political retribution,” Walz said. “Minnesota voted against him three times and now he’s punishing us – putting lives at risk and wasting enormous resources in the process.”

Minnesota DPS noted that the National Guard will not be deployed to the streets of Minneapolis at this time, but units will remain on standby, ready to help maintain public safety and protect peaceful protestors gathering within the Twin Cities.

“Our public safety team has the resources, coordination, and personnel on the ground to maintain public safety and respond if needed. Thanks to local law enforcement for keeping the peace,” Governor Walz stated.

Impotent-Dingo on January 18th, 2026 at 06:10 UTC »

I think there is a big misunderstanding as to the role of the national guard.

They are professionals and have completely different rules of engagement than law enforcement. They are their to stand between the protestors and ice. This isn't going to be some high noon show down between ice and NG.

WallyMcBeetus on January 18th, 2026 at 02:33 UTC »

So, from the article:

> Minnesota DPS noted that the National Guard will not be deployed to the streets of Minneapolis at this time, but units will remain on standby, ready to help maintain public safety and protect peaceful protestors gathering within the Twin Cities.

Edit: I'm interested in how this will play out. Will they know they're there to help them, or just think they're out to get them?

GeneralKrakus on January 18th, 2026 at 02:33 UTC »

Did anyone actually read the article, or just doing the usual skim a headline and jump to conclusions?

> Minnesota DPS noted that the National Guard will not be deployed to the streets of Minneapolis at this time, but units will remain on standby, ready to help maintain public safety and protect peaceful protestors gathering within the Twin Cities.

Maybe I’m naive to believe that they’ll be protecting protestors, but that’s what the article says