Minneapolis journalist Liz Collin shared her experience with Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller News Foundation, claiming she felt the pressure from a Black Lives Matter (BLM) “mob.” Collin worked for CBS-owned WCCO-TV during the riots in 2020 that followed George Floyd’s death and left her position in January 2022 after almost 14 years. When discussing the matter on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” Carlson inquired about her belief that she faced consequences due to her husband’s career.
“It was just ridiculous. I completed my contract and eventually left. But I’m moving on,” Collin replied.
Carlson pressed her, “But why were you not allowed to do a newscast?”
Collin’s husband, Bob Kroll, who was the former president of the Minneapolis Police Federation, retired in January 2021 after activists responded to his remarks branding the riots as a “terrorist movement,” as reported by FOX9.
Collin clarified that the station was aware of her relationship with Kroll. She mentioned her decision to refrain from covering police union issues due to a conflict of interest. “At the start, I was fully aware that reporting on this story was inappropriate. I didn’t report on any police union matters in Minneapolis,” she explained. “We were married for a few years before this happened, but suddenly it felt like our marriage had to be a topic of every newscast.”
“Can you understand why that mattered? Yet, it seems like my name keeps coming up. Whatever I do, it’s like, ‘Oh, Liz Collin is Bob Kroll’s wife.’ This is insane,” she added.
In the wake of Floyd’s death, Minneapolis became a focal point of unrest in 2020, witnessing extensive damage as buildings were set ablaze and businesses looted. The chaos lasted several days, and some mainstream media outlets, including NBC, reportedly avoided using the term “riot” in their coverage.
A report from the Star Tribune indicated that nearly 150 buildings were damaged, affecting over 400 restaurants and retail locations, resulting in millions in property damage.
Carlson asked if she felt her work was impacted because of her husband’s affiliation with the police. “Initially, it lasted a few weeks, but soon it stretched into months,” Collin explained. “While I could still report on some topics, anything related to law enforcement or local government required prior approval.”
“This has been my professional life. I had strong sources and reported on many issues long before marrying Bob. Suddenly, it became an issue,” she noted, recalling how Kroll’s appearance with President Trump during his 2019 campaign complicated matters for her at the station.
Collin recounted that BLM activists protested against both her and her husband. They even showed up at her house multiple times. “They came to the station, demanding I be fired for marrying a police officer. They protested at our home four times. In the summer of 2020, they even brought a piñata resembling us and beat it in our driveway,” she said.
During one incident in August 2020, over 100 BLM activists descended on her home, calling for both her and Kroll’s dismissal from their jobs, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“It felt surreal. Did you have kids at home during that time?” Carlson asked.
“We weren’t there that weekend. But yes, my child found out about it on YouTube a few years later. I thought I could keep it from him, but reality is something you can’t hide from,” Collin responded.
CBS has not publicly commented on the situation.
