Minnesota governor Tim Walz responds to George Floyd protests

The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020, sparked widespread protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In response to the escalating violence, Governor Tim Walz, a veteran of the National Guard, approved a limited activation of the National Guard on May 28, but largely left the management of the situation to local authorities. This decision drew criticism from various quarters, including Minnesota Republicans, who accused Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of failing to act decisively against rioters. A report highlighted that the state did not establish a multiagency command center until four days after Floyd's death, and the mobilization of the National Guard was deemed too late. Additionally, a separate after-action report indicated that city officials were not familiar with the process for requesting Guard assistance, which delayed troop deployment. These delays contributed to the chaos and unrest that followed Floyd's murder. In July, President Trump criticized Walz for not calling in the National Guard sooner, although he did not express this sentiment during the initial crisis. The state’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, acknowledged the difficult position Walz was in, emphasizing the challenge of addressing the aftermath of police violence while trying to maintain order and public safety. Ultimately, the events surrounding Floyd's death and the subsequent protests highlighted significant issues in police response and community relations, prompting ongoing discussions about police reform and accountability in Minnesota and beyond.