Minnesota National Guard says troops will wear ‘reflective vests’ if deployed to differentiate themselves from ICE

The Minnesota National Guard announced that its troops are on standby to assist local law enforcement and said service members would wear reflective vests to distinguish themselves from other agencies if activated.

“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,” the Guard said in a post on X, alongside a photo showing troops in reflective vests with their faces blurred.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directed the National Guard to prepare for possible deployment to assist local law enforcement and emergency management agencies. 

The post drew backlash online, coming amid heightened political violence directed at ICE agents. “‘We're putting OUR troops in neon vests so you only attack federal law enforcement’ is an insane thing to tweet,” Daily Signal correspondent Tony Kinnett wrote in a post that quickly went viral.

Anti-ICE activists in Minnesota have continued targeting ICE agents, including physical altercations with officers and vandalism. Signs and graffiti reading “F*ck ICE” have appeared during protests, a phrase that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has himself used publicly.

The Trump administration is weighing whether to send National Guard troops to Minnesota as unrest continues. An earlier report indicated that roughly 1,500 active-duty troops based in Alaska, who are familiar with cold-weather operations, have been placed on standby for possible deployment to the state. The administration has not announced a final decision on how it plans to proceed.

President Donald Trump indicated earlier this week that he was considering invoking the Insurrection Act to gain control of the protests, though he later dialed back that rhetoric.