Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) has asked the federal government for millions in aid to fix the destruction done by the Black Lives Matter riots while state and local officials looked the other way. This weekend the Trump admistration gave a direct answer: No.
The governor’s office filed a formal request on July 2 for the aid, pleading with the president to “declare a major disaster for the State of Minnesota because of extensive fire damage to public infrastructure caused by civil unrest.”
Walz was seeking funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing that the mangling of Minnesota was “eligible” for relief to the tune of $16 million. The governor claims the total cost to repair the state after the carnage falls around $500 million.
According to Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Walz’s office had to tell the people of Minnesota the president has denied his request.
“The Governor is disappointed that the federal government declined his request for financial support,” the governor’s spokesperson said in a statement. “As we navigate one of the most difficult periods in our state’s history, we look for support from our federal government to help us through.”
President Donald Trump has openly criticized Walz for the way he handled the catastrophic riots by Marxist-militants after George Floyd died at the hands of a police officer in late May.
Trump had ordered the FBI and DOJ to launch a federal investigation into Floyd’s death days after the event in late May. The same night the president announced the investigation, the first wave of destruction began in Minnesota while police and authorities where muzzled by state officials.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for assistance from the National Guard the morning after the first riots, and Gov. Walz scrambled to get troops in the city, but the reaction proved to be an impotent response.
Gov. Walz claimed in his formal letter requesting federal financial relief that his administration reacted “quickly” to the violence. State law enforcement officials on the scene disagreed.
Leaders of the Minnesota National Guard and Department of Public Safety stood before the Senate last week, testifying that the mere 200 National Guard troops deployed to the city was a meager response at best.
The Twin Cities Pioneer Press wrote:
“Top law enforcement leaders on Thursday said earlier deployment of National Guard members to assist in the response to protests, arson fires and looting in Minneapolis and St. Paul could’ve mitigated the damage that resulted in May.
…
Heads of the Minnesota National Guard and Department of Public Safety on Thursday told a Senate panel that their reaction lagged as civil unrest grew beyond what state officials expected and as National Guard officials attempted to reset plans to mobilize an appropriate number of members to address the scene.”
Minnesota’s police force of 15,000 were eventually deployed in their entirety. President Trump offered the full support of the U.S. military who he placed at the ready, and waited for a call from Walz that never came.
The rampage continued to the point where Democratic Mayor Frey went to the streets in a sad attempt to be relatable and grovel to the mob face-to-face. When the rioters ordered him to abolish or defund the police he sheepishly refused and was shouted away with his tail between his legs.
Within a month’s time, a unanimous majority on the city council rubber-stamped a pledge to abolish the police department in Minneapolis.
Last Thursday Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) asked Trump to order a federal review of the city’s response to the riots before the president started writing any checks.
Minnesota is a swing state for the 2020 election which Trump nearly claimed in 2016.