Minnesota National Guard troops and federal agents operated side by side at protest sites in Minneapolis as tensions rose over what state officials and national outlets have called a sweeping immigration crackdown.

“Members of the Minnesota National Guard are on standby, ready to assist local law enforcement and public safety agencies,” the state troops announced in an X post, which included a photo of two guardsmen with blurred faces holding guns and sporting neon yellow safety vests over their uniforms.

Gov. Tim Walz has "mobilized" the Minnesota National Guard as protests continue to roil the state. Officials said troops have not been deployed but are on standby.

The Minnesota National Guard said Saturday they are on standby amid escalating anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis — and revealed a distinctive item they will wear to set themselves apart if deployed. The military force has not yet been deployed but was mobilized Saturday afternoon by Minnesota Gov.

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota, according to a Trump administration source, as state officials have also mobilized the National Guard.

The Department of Justice on Monday appealed a recent ruling that limits tactics federal law enforcement is permitted to use in the midst of anti-ICE enforcement protests in Minneapolis.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis after a federal immigration officer shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti during an enforcement operation, escalating tensions already high following another fatal shooting earlier this month.

Ongoing altercations between protesters and federal law enforcement spurred Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to mobilize the state's National Guard.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has mobilized the state National Guard to support the Minnesota State Patrol, a spokesperson for the guard said Saturday.

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