Trump Praises Walz for Handling Floyd Protests

In a recently released phone call from 2020, former President Donald Trump expressed approval of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's response to the unrest in Minneapolis following George Floyd's murder. This revelation contradicts the Republican narrative that has emerged since Walz was selected as Kamala Harris's running mate, which criticizes his handling of the protests that included looting and arson, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life. The unrest led to over 1,000 buildings being damaged and hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, with two fatalities and around 600 arrests. In response to the escalating violence, Walz deployed more than 7,000 National Guard members, although Republicans have criticized the timing of this decision, claiming it was delayed by three days after a request from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. A report from the Republican state senate in October 2020 accused Walz of hesitation that allegedly cost lives and livelihoods. In the audio clip shared by Harris's campaign, Trump commended Walz, stating, “He’s an excellent guy,” and praised the National Guard's readiness to respond. This contrasts sharply with the Republican attacks that have intensified since Walz's vice presidential nomination, with figures like JD Vance accusing him of allowing chaos in the streets. Walz has defended his actions, asserting that Mayor Frey did not provide sufficient information to justify an earlier deployment of the National Guard. The conflicting narratives highlight the ongoing political tensions surrounding the events of 2020.