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The MN Senate convened several joint committee hearings consisting of members of various committees (the Joint Committee). The purpose of the Joint Committee was to compile the facts and reach conclusions. The Report of the Joint Committee was issued on October 8, 2020. The following are a portion of the Report findings relevant to the action and inaction of Walz: Governor Tim Walz and elected local leaders identified with the causes promoted by the demonstrators, causing them to lose sight of their responsibility to protect the public from criminal acts committed during the riots. (p.1) Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey initially chose to negotiate with and appease the rioters rather than give law enforcement the authority to confront criminal acts with enough force to restore law and order. A primary responsibility of the Office of the Governor of the State of Minnesota and local elected officials is to protect the public. Inaction on the part of state and local officials led to an increase in violence. (p.1) Both Governor Walz and Mayor Frey failed to act in a timely manner to confront rioters with necessary force due to an ill-conceived philosophical belief that such an action would exacerbate the rioting. (p.3) Governor Walz and Mayor Frey initially chose to negotiate with and appease the rioters rather than give law enforcement the authority to confront criminal acts with enough force to restore law and order. (p.5) Governor Walz was more concerned about his popularity and tweeting than he was about stopping the riots. (p.18) Governor Walz and his administration decided to plan for “frontal battles,” refuse aviation support, hold the Minnesota National Guard in reserve, and blame rather than support the cities. (p.22) Governor Walz had the ability and duty to use force and law enforcement to stop criminal violence, but he did not. Governor Walz was not willing to do what was necessary to stop the rioting right away because he was having a philosophical debate about whether the use of force should be used to stop violence. (p.22) But he then stated he was trying to strike a balance between more law enforcement and appeasing the rioters. (p.23) When asked by a reporter if the Minnesota National Guard should have been present physically during the rioting that occurred on Thursday, May 28, Governor Walz blamed the mayors and said it was their decisions to not have the Minnesota National Guard out. (p.24) Governor Walz and his administration were more concerned with the “current environment,” the “climate they were under,” “community and cultural concerns,” and “diversity and inclusion training” than they were about stopping the riots that were destroying Minnesota. (p.27) Protesting is a First Amendment right; rioting is a criminal act. The first is protected while the second needs to be stopped. (p.27) Governor Walz stated he was to wait for cities to request troops before preparing the Minnesota National Guard. There is no state statute or law requiring the governor to wait for cities to request troops before authorizing the use of the Minnesota National Guard. (p.29) The request was sent for at least 600 guardsmen at 9:11 p.m. Wednesday, May 27. Governor Walz eventually produced 100 guardsmen for the City of Minneapolis late in the evening on Thursday, May 28. (p.30) According to police, if the Minnesota National Guard was called in to assist, then the Third Precinct and many of the businesses on Lake Street could have been saved. (p.34) Only Governor Walz had the legal authority to mobilize the Minnesota National Guard as he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Minnesota National Guard. Governor Walz chose not to fully mobilize the Minnesota National Guard while rioting overtook the state on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. (p.35) Governor Walz did not lead, thereby failing the cities, the state, and citizens when they needed him most. (p.35) Governor Walz believes it is not his job to protect citizens of Minnesota. (p.35) While stating arrests were an important part of controlling the riots, Governor Walz and his administration also chose to only arrest and prosecute 2% of those caught rioting. (p.40)
He's a very bad, very strange man.
