Even before being selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz faced criticism for delaying the National Guard response during the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s murder. Republicans, including former President Trump, claimed Walz cheered on rioters and delayed calling in the National Guard during the unrest. A report by Minnesota state Senate Republicans criticized Walz for not using force to stop violence right away and having a philosophical debate about it.
The protests turned violent in Minneapolis and St. Paul shortly after Floyd’s death, leading to looting and destruction. Republicans blamed Walz for a three-day delay in activating the National Guard, while Walz’s office confirmed he only did so after formal requests from St. Paul and Minneapolis. The delayed response resulted in significant damages and a burned-down police precinct.
Critics blame both Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for the slow response. While Frey requested the National Guard be deployed on May 27, Walz did not activate them until May 28. Democrats defended Walz, stating that the delay was due to consideration for residents’ safety and protesters’ rights, in contrast to Trump’s inflammatory social media posts. Despite ongoing criticism, Walz maintains that he did his best in the situation.
The delay in responding to the riots during the 2020 protests remains a contentious issue among Minnesota Republicans while Democrats defend Walz’s handling of the situation. The incident has shaped differing perspectives on the events that transpired and the decisions made by Walz during the unrest.
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