A former Republican Minnesota lawmaker and the head of the state Republican party have criticized Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz for his handling of the 2020 Black Lives Matter riots in Minneapolis. Minnesota GOP Chair David Hann accused Walz of being absent and delaying the call for National Guard assistance for political reasons, resulting in extensive damage to the city.
Hann stated that Walz failed to act promptly, waiting for days until the situation escalated out of control. He mentioned attempts by others to urge Walz to seek help from then President Trump, which were allegedly ignored until it was evident that the unrest could not be contained without external intervention.
Four years later, Hann noted that Minneapolis has yet to fully recover from the destruction caused during the riots, describing the city as a 'ghost town' with increased crime rates and a lack of vibrancy in its nightlife.
Furthermore, Hann criticized Walz for aligning himself with the defund-the-police movement and being unresponsive to addressing rising crime levels in the state. He described Walz as a partisan and divisive figure who struggles with handling dissent and challenges.
Another former Republican state senator who worked alongside Walz echoed Hann's sentiments, expressing frustration with Walz's leadership style and extreme liberal views. The former senator highlighted Walz's tendency to react angrily under stress and his perceived lack of transparency in decision-making.
Concerns were raised about a potential Harris-Walz presidency, with the former state senator cautioning voters to pay attention to Walz's political leanings and communication style. The criticism of Walz's governance extended to his alleged reluctance to collaborate with individuals holding differing viewpoints.
In response to the criticisms, the Harris-Walz campaign referenced an op-ed from a Republican praising Walz's bipartisanship and quotes from former colleagues commending his ability to work across party lines. Additionally, the campaign highlighted audio of former President Trump expressing satisfaction with Walz's handling of the riots and describing him as an 'excellent guy.'
