A retired Minnesota State Patrol lieutenant, John Nagel, has sharply criticized Governor Tim Walz for what he describes as the deliberate abandonment of Minneapolis during the 2020 George Floyd riots. In an interview with Fox News, Nagel, who served for 30 years, accused Walz of being anti-police and claimed the governor intentionally let Minneapolis burn as part of a broader agenda that reflects his disdain for law enforcement.
Nagel's remarks come as Walz faces ongoing criticism from law enforcement officials and conservative commentators for his response to the riots, which saw widespread destruction across Minneapolis. Nagel argues that Walz's decision not to deploy the National Guard swiftly allowed the situation to spiral out of control, leading to millions of dollars in damage and the loss of trust in public safety among Minnesota's residents.
The TRUTH!! Whoever didn’t get enough of 2020 riots should vote for Harris-Walz!! pic.twitter.com/MyGRaLrrgN
— đź’ĄHankđź’Ą (@HankishTwitZone) August 11, 2024
According to Nagel, Walz's hesitation was not just a failure of leadership but a calculated move aligned with his political ambitions. Nagel, who is now running for a seat in the Minnesota House as a Republican, claims that Walz's inaction was motivated by a desire to appease the far-left elements of his party, who were calling for defunding the police and radically restructuring public safety.
The retired lieutenant's criticism extends beyond the events of 2020, highlighting what he sees as a pattern of anti-police sentiment from Walz and other Democratic leaders in the state. He pointed to the decision by the widow of Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Owen, who was killed in the line of duty, to exclude Walz from her husband's funeral—a move she said was due to the governor's lack of support for law enforcement.
No, this is not a video from a war-torn country in the Middle East.
This is the aftermath of the Minneapolis Riots when Minnesota Governor Tim Walz allowed it to burn four consecutive nights.
This is the legacy of Kamala Harris’s new running mate. pic.twitter.com/s4qii8uUBc
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) August 6, 2024
Nagel's accusations echo broader Republican concerns that Walz's policies have led to an increase in violent crime and a general decline in public safety in Minnesota. GOP Representative Pete Stauber, who represents northern Minnesota, has similarly condemned Walz's handling of the riots, accusing him of betraying the citizens of Minneapolis by failing to protect their lives and properties. Stauber noted that Walz referred to the rioters' actions as "righteous anger," a statement that many Republicans believe signals the governor's sympathies lie with the rioters rather than the victims of the violence.
These criticisms have gained renewed attention as Walz, now a Democratic vice-presidential nominee, campaigns on a platform that his opponents argue is out of touch with the realities of public safety concerns in Minnesota. The debate over Walz's record is likely to intensify as the 2024 election approaches, with Republicans like Nagel and Stauber positioning themselves as champions of law and order against what they see as Democratic failures.
While Walz has defended his actions, stating that he worked to de-escalate the situation and prevent further violence, his critics remain unconvinced. They argue that his reluctance to take a firm stand during the riots has left a lasting scar on the state and raised serious questions about his ability to handle crises at the national level.
As Minnesota continues to grapple with the aftermath of the 2020 riots and ongoing public safety challenges, Nagel's comments highlight the deep divisions within the state over how best to maintain order and protect its citizens. Whether these concerns will resonate with voters in the upcoming election remains to be seen, but they undoubtedly add a significant layer of controversy to Walz's political future.
