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Minnesota National Guard plans to deploy as many as 10,000 soldiers to Minneapolis protests over George Floyd

WASHINGTON – The Minnesota National Guard plans to deploy as many as 10,000 troops to respond to unrest in Minneapolis, a massive increase over the 850 now on duty.

Meantime, the Pentagon has offered to assist Minnesota with active-duty troops. So far, Gov. Tim Walz has not sought help from federal troops, according to a statement from Jonathan Hoffman, a Defense Department spokesman.

In Minnesota, the National Guard is activating as many as 10,000 soldiers and airmen, said Maj. Scott Hawks, a spokesman for the Minnesota National Guard. On Saturday morning, there were 858 Guardsmen on duty. By afternoon, another 1,000 were expected to bolster that force, Hawks said.

"This is a moving number as Guardsmen are in a continuous process of coming

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on orders as we are increasing our support to the state and community," Hawks said in an email.

The number of Guard troops activated is expected to be between 2,500 and 10,000, he said, but likely to be closer to the upper end of that range.

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The Pentagon will make active-duty forces ready to deploy quickly if needed, Hoffman said.

"As a prudent planning measure, the department has directed U.S. Northern Command to increase the alert status of several units should they be requested by the Governor to support Minnesota authorities," Hoffman said. "These are units that normally maintain a 48-hour recall to support state civil authorities for several contingencies (like natural disasters) and are now on 4-hour status.”

A senior Pentagon official downplayed orders to active-duty units to prepare for possible deployment. Prepare-to-deploy orders are common and are used for hurricanes and events like national political conventions.

It's anticipated that National Guard troops will be capable of handling the current mission, said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about military planning. Any active-duty forces would likely fill support and logistics roles.

During a call with reporters Sunday, Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, head of the Minnesota National Guard, said soldiers were allowed to be armed following a threat last week. Jensen said the FBI learned of a "credible, lethal threat" directed at the Minnesota National Guard, though he did not provide more details.

So far, the Minnesota National Guard has provided security and support for the local fire department and hospitals. Soldiers have also been driving buses carrying those who have been arrested.

Nationwide, more than 17,000 National Guard members have been activated in Minnesota and nearly two dozen other states, including the District of Columbia, to respond to the protests.

The use of federal troops to respond to domestic disturbances has been rare. The last time was in 1992 following unrest in Los Angeles following the Rodney King case, according to a Congressional Research Service report in January. King was a motorist beaten by police and their acquittal sparked riots.

States have the primary responsibility and authority for civil order under the Constitution. But governors or legislatures can request federal protection against "domestic violence," according to the report. The Insurrection Act also authorizes the president to call up military forces for civil unrest, and the law was amended to allow for the protection of civil rights.

The act has been invoked dozens of times but rarely since the 1960s civil rights disturbances, according to the report.

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Contributing: Kristine Phillips

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Floyd protests: Minnesota National Guard plans to deploy 10,000