Governor of Minnesota Prepares National Guard Amid Protests
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has issued a “warning order” to the Minnesota National Guard, signaling potential deployment as protests have erupted in the Minneapolis area. This unrest follows the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
During a press briefing, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that the deceased, Renee Nicole Good, allegedly “weaponized her vehicle” in an attempt to run over federal agents. She mentioned that one officer had to be hospitalized after being struck by her car.
The Department of Homeland Security later emphasized this characterization, labeling the incident as “an act of domestic terrorism.” While Walz’s order doesn’t indicate a full combat mobilization, it does signal readiness for deployment to ensure safety and maintain order as protests intensify.
Video footage circulating on social media shows Good appearing to hit an ICE officer with her vehicle after being instructed to exit. This incident prompted the officer to fire at her car.
Despite the federal government’s account of the situation, protests have surged, particularly near the intersection where the shooting occurred. Hours following the event, Walz remarked that the state has “soldiers in training” prepared to be deployed if needed. He described the influx of ICE agents as an ideological attack on Minnesota and cautioned residents against engaging in violence, which could trigger further federal military intervention.
“From here on, I have a very simple message. We do not need any other help from the federal government,” Walz asserted. “To Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, you’ve done enough.”
When asked whether the National Guard would respond to any deployment orders against federal agents in Minneapolis, Walz stated, “We’ve never been at war with our federal government,” but clarified that the Guard would act under state control.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey aligned with Governor Walz in criticizing federal actions, suggesting that the federal government’s presence could provoke a violent backlash. He urged residents to maintain peaceful protests.
However, Frey’s remarks towards federal authorities were less moderated, as he directly told ICE to leave Minneapolis, condemning their operations as harmful to the community.
“To ICE, get the f*** out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here!” Frey declared, referring to the federal agency’s presence as chaotic and terrorizing for long-term residents.
The tension in Minneapolis is compounded by its proximity to the site of George Floyd’s death in 2020, an event that ignited widespread unrest. Some commentators have noted social media posts from local activist groups calling for renewed protests reminiscent of those days, using the recent shooting as a rallying point.
In summary, as protests gather momentum, both Walz and Frey are navigating a precarious situation, balancing state and federal dynamics while urging their community to respond peacefully.
