A high-level US civil war simulation, run by a group of experts, has eerily foreshadowed the current crisis in Minneapolis. The table-top exercise, conducted by Claire Finkelstein and her team at the University of Pennsylvania, imagined a scenario where a president attempts to federalize a state's national guard, leading to an armed conflict between state and federal forces.
The simulation took place during a time when a highly unpopular law enforcement operation was underway in Philadelphia. However, unlike the current situation in Minneapolis, the governor resisted the deployment of active-duty troops and the national guard remained loyal to the state. The resulting conflict, though violent, was limited to the city itself, rather than spilling out into broader civil unrest.
What's striking is how closely this scenario mirrors the unfolding events in Minneapolis. Instead of a governor standing up to federal authorities, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has put his state's national guard on standby to support local law enforcement. Meanwhile, President Trump has threatened to deploy active-duty troops under the Insurrection Act, potentially sidestepping recent court limits on the use of federal troops.
The implications are dire. If no meaningful checks and balances can be put in place to prevent federal agents from using excessive force against protesters – including unarmed civilians – it could lead to a catastrophic conflict between state and federal forces. As Finkelstein warns, senior military leaders may face orders to shoot innocent civilians, which would be unconstitutional.
To make matters worse, the Department of Defense has readied its 11th Airborne Division to back up Trump's threat, effectively turning ICE agents into a paramilitary force. The Pentagon is essentially preparing for a scenario where federal troops will clash with state forces, potentially leading to all-out civil war.
The fact that this simulation was conducted in October and has now come to pass raises serious questions about the government's ability to handle internal unrest without descending into chaos. As Finkelstein notes, senior military leaders are faced with an increasingly difficult decision: whether to follow orders that could lead to atrocities or refuse patently illegal ones.
The stakes have never been higher. If we fail to intervene and prevent this downward spiral, it may be too late to save the United States from itself.
The simulation took place during a time when a highly unpopular law enforcement operation was underway in Philadelphia. However, unlike the current situation in Minneapolis, the governor resisted the deployment of active-duty troops and the national guard remained loyal to the state. The resulting conflict, though violent, was limited to the city itself, rather than spilling out into broader civil unrest.
What's striking is how closely this scenario mirrors the unfolding events in Minneapolis. Instead of a governor standing up to federal authorities, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has put his state's national guard on standby to support local law enforcement. Meanwhile, President Trump has threatened to deploy active-duty troops under the Insurrection Act, potentially sidestepping recent court limits on the use of federal troops.
The implications are dire. If no meaningful checks and balances can be put in place to prevent federal agents from using excessive force against protesters – including unarmed civilians – it could lead to a catastrophic conflict between state and federal forces. As Finkelstein warns, senior military leaders may face orders to shoot innocent civilians, which would be unconstitutional.
To make matters worse, the Department of Defense has readied its 11th Airborne Division to back up Trump's threat, effectively turning ICE agents into a paramilitary force. The Pentagon is essentially preparing for a scenario where federal troops will clash with state forces, potentially leading to all-out civil war.
The fact that this simulation was conducted in October and has now come to pass raises serious questions about the government's ability to handle internal unrest without descending into chaos. As Finkelstein notes, senior military leaders are faced with an increasingly difficult decision: whether to follow orders that could lead to atrocities or refuse patently illegal ones.
The stakes have never been higher. If we fail to intervene and prevent this downward spiral, it may be too late to save the United States from itself.
. I mean, can you believe that a simulation from 2021 is basically mirroring what's happening in Minneapolis right now?! It's like time is standing still and we're just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
. We can't afford to have our national guard turned into some kind of paramilitary force, especially when they're supposed to protect us, not oppress us.
. The hope dealer says let's keep the faith, fam! 
and I'm still thinking about those beautiful geysers... did you know that Old Faithful erupts like, every 90 minutes or so? it's crazy! 
anyway, back to this whole civil war simulation thing... I mean, can you imagine if we actually had to deal with a situation like that in real life? 
like, tim walz is already putting the national guard on standby which is a big deal. and trump is threatening to deploy troops under the insurrection act... it's like, no one is taking this seriously enough 
. what can we do to stop this civil war from happening?! 
The US is sleepwalking into a disaster... again. This isn't the first time some of these experts have sounded the alarm about the dangers of unchecked executive power & militarization 
. I mean, we've seen what happens when you mix a president with an army and some protesters...it's a recipe for disaster 
. We need to make sure that our system of checks and balances is working, or else we risk losing everything we hold dear 
. This is not a drill, folks! We need to wake up and demand action from our leaders 
. And with the Pentagon preparing for a scenario where federal troops clash with state forces? That's like something out of a movie 
. We need some real leaders who can keep us safe without resorting to martial law. I'm scared for the future of our country, folks 
.
. That's not just unconstitutional, that's morally reprehensible 
. We need to make sure we're protectin our rights and freedoms, not just handin out more power to the government 
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. I hope someone is listenin' and takin action soon, 'cause if we don't, it's gonna be too late 
.
. And the more I read about it, the more I feel like we're running out of options 
. What can we do to stop this from happening? Shouldn't there be some kind of check on this guy's power? 
. We gotta keep an eye on this and make sure our leaders are not oversteppin' their bounds 
. This is like, the ultimate test of our democracy right now 
. The fact that this simulation came true is like, mind blown 
. We need to take a step back and ask ourselves if our system of checks and balances is still working or not 
. I mean, what happens when the people in power start thinking they're above the law? 
.
"
. But seriously, the implications are super dire and I'm getting anxious thinking about what could happen next