Minneapolis mayor criticized Walz for not quickly sending National Guard

MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR CRITICIZES GOVERNOR’S RESPONSE TO UNREST AFTER GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH

In May 2020, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his dissatisfaction with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s handling of the unrest in the city following George Floyd’s death. Frey highlighted that the governor hesitated to deploy the National Guard, leaving the city to face chaos and destruction.

Frey revealed in an August 2020 interview with the Star Tribune that he made multiple urgent requests for National Guard support to the governor, which were not granted until the city had already faced significant damage and had to abandon a besieged police precinct.

Records show that Frey contacted Walz on May 27, 2020, the second day of the unrest, requesting assistance. The mayor emphasized the severity of the situation and the urgent need for the National Guard to intervene immediately.

Following the delayed response from the governor, the Senate committee criticized Walz for failing to act promptly as the situation escalated. Republican state Sen. Warren Limmer even suggested that Walz may have had personal sympathies towards the rioters, casting doubt on his decision-making during the crisis.

Despite the accusations, Walz defended his actions, citing the need for thorough planning before deploying the National Guard. He emphasized the importance of strategy to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the mission.

Reflecting on the events of that night, Frey reiterated that he did everything in his power to manage the crisis and protect the city. His efforts to communicate and collaborate with state partners were aimed at safeguarding Minneapolis from further harm.

While tensions between Frey and Walz persisted, it was evident that the aftermath of the unrest continued to fuel debates about leadership, responsibility, and transparency in times of crisis.

The incident underscored the challenges faced by local officials when coordinating emergency responses and the critical importance of swift and decisive action to mitigate the impact of civil unrest.