DHS Secretary Kristi Noem slammed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for 2020 riot response
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for his handling of the 2020 riots in his state, contrasting it with the Trump administration’s response to protests in Los Angeles. Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, highlighted the swift deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles as a proactive measure to prevent the kind of chaos that occurred in Minnesota under Governor Walz’s leadership.
During the 2020 riots following the death of George Floyd, Governor Walz faced criticism for a delayed response in activating the National Guard. While Walz has taken responsibility for this delay, he has also defended Minnesota’s overall response to the protests. In a 2022 gubernatorial debate, Walz expressed pride in the efforts of Minnesota’s first responders and citizens during the tumultuous period.
In contrast, the Trump administration’s approach to protests in Los Angeles has been characterized by a significant military presence, with 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines deployed to address the unrest. President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom have clashed over the use of these troops, with Trump insisting on their necessity to maintain order and Newsom criticizing their deployment as an infringement on state sovereignty.
Newsom has argued that most of the deployed troops in Los Angeles are inactive and without clear orders, accusing Trump of prioritizing political motivations over public safety. The dispute between the two leaders has escalated to the point where Trump invoked federal authority to place the National Guard troops under federal command, bypassing Newsom’s oversight.
Despite Newsom’s objections, Trump has defended the federal intervention in Los Angeles as a necessary measure to prevent further destruction and maintain law and order. The ongoing tensions between the federal government and state leadership underscore the challenges of coordinating responses to civil unrest in a politically charged environment.
As the situation in Los Angeles continues to unfold, the implications of federal-state relations and the role of military forces in domestic policing remain contentious issues. The clash between Governor Walz’s handling of the 2020 riots in Minnesota and the Trump administration’s response in Los Angeles serves as a stark reminder of the complex dynamics at play in managing civil unrest and upholding public safety.
