Republican attacks on Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz have focused on his response to civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. Ohio Sen. JD Vance, a former running mate of President Donald Trump, criticized Walz for allegedly allowing rioters to burn down Minneapolis in the summer of 2020. However, it is important to note that Walz, not Trump, was the one who deployed the Minnesota National Guard in response to the escalating situation.
Following Floyd's death on May 25, 2020, protests erupted in Minneapolis the next day, leading to clashes between demonstrators and police. Some of these protests turned violent, resulting in riots that caused damage to businesses in the city. On May 27, there were incidents of looting, violence, and arson alongside peaceful protests. On May 28, Walz took action by signing an executive order to activate part of the Minnesota National Guard after protesters set fire to the Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct.
Walz, a former member of the Army National Guard with 24 years of service, made the decision to activate the entire Minnesota National Guard on May 30. His press secretary clarified that Walz had done so at the request of the Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, prior to any communication with the White House. It is worth noting that on the night of May 30, there were no reports of buildings being set on fire, in contrast to the previous three nights of unrest.
These events highlight the complexities of managing civil unrest and the decisions that leaders must make in response to such situations. While criticisms have been leveled against Walz for his handling of the unrest in Minneapolis, a closer examination of the timeline reveals the actions taken by the governor to address the escalating crisis.
