With Minnesota in the spotlight due to an ICE officer shooting in Minneapolis and a significant fraud scandal, former Navy SEAL Adam Schwartz is launching his campaign for the U.S. Senate. During an appearance on Breitbart News Saturday, Schwartz, joined by Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle, framed his candidacy as a rallying cry for Minnesotans and others across the nation.
Throughout his discussion, Schwartz emphasized the stark differences between his conservative views and the far-left positions of Democratic contenders, such as Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, and former state Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez-Franzen. He noted Franzen’s exit from the race, suggesting Craig is “too Schumer, too Washington D.C.” for the party’s base, and predicted that Flanagan would secure the nomination.
Schwartz claimed Flanagan was running “as an open socialist,” receiving support from prominent figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He argued that Minnesota’s Democratic Party is straying from its traditional roots, shifting toward a more centralized method of candidate selection. This, he said, is similar to how Kamala Harris became Vice President, asserting, “I’ve already won more primaries in my adult life than Kamala has,” and criticized the Democratic approach of “anointing candidates” instead of allowing voters to decide.
On the subject of the ICE shooting, Schwartz attributed it to a breakdown in law and order in Minneapolis, stating, “This tragedy happened because they are now inciting violence in Minneapolis.” He blamed Lt. Gov. Flanagan and Mayor Jacob Frey for what he characterized as a “failure of leadership,” accusing them of “fanning the fire.”
“Currently, there’s crime and looting happening in Minneapolis, with reports of people breaking into private property and hotels,” he remarked. Schwartz contended that local law enforcement had essentially stepped back, leaving ICE to handle the situation. He described the circumstances as a cautionary tale for all Americans about the consequences of ineffective leadership. Drawing on his experience as a Navy SEAL, he compared the current threats to the Red Star Cluster, often used in military contexts to warn allies of danger.
Schwartz also brought attention to fraud linked to a Somali-run organization in Minnesota, arguing that the misuse of federal funds should alarm voters nationwide. “Those billions represent taxpayers’ money being misappropriated by the Walz and Flanagan administrations,” he stated. Furthermore, he suggested that Tina Smith’s resignation was tied to her involvement in insider trading and fraud.
On the campaign trail, Schwartz has positioned himself as the leading Republican candidate, mentioning that he’s the first to report raising $1 million statewide and suggesting he may have more funds available than his Republican peers. “There’s no greater contrast,” he asserted. “With 10 years in the Marines and 11 years in the Navy SEALs, I can campaign as a constitutional conservative who values life, liberty, faith, and character.”
Schwartz’s military journey began on his 18th birthday, just after the 9/11 attacks. He took part in various phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom, led diplomatic security missions abroad, and later served as a Special Forces commando with high-stakes missions targeting foes like China and North Korea.
He praised former President Trump’s foreign policy initiatives during his first term, particularly the defeat of ISIS and the Abraham Accords, advocating for robust national defense leadership in the Senate. “I know what good leadership looks like, and that’s why I’m running,” he concluded.
As November approaches, Schwartz expressed confidence in a Republican victory in Minnesota. Despite the state leaning towards Democrats in presidential elections since 1972, he noted Trump’s narrow win there. “Navy SEALs don’t fight battles they can’t win,” he remarked to Boyle. “We have seven out of seven votes in the federal election. I will win.”
