Walz slammed for ‘hesitating’ to send in Guard as his daughter tipped off rioters via social media
When Slow Decisions and Social Media Collide: A Perfect Storm in Minneapolis

In the world of politics, where every decision is scrutinized and every action dissected, there’s no room for hesitation. Yet, here we are, questioning Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s delayed deployment of the National Guard during one of Minneapolis’s darkest times. And just when you thought it couldn’t get more complicated, enter his daughter, Hope Walz, with a social media play-by-play. What could go wrong?
The Urgent Calls that Went Unanswered
As the flames of unrest roared in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s tragic death, Mayor Jacob Frey found himself at his wit’s end. Picture this: the city’s in chaos, and the man on the ground can’t get through to the higher-ups. Frey’s desperate calls to Governor Walz for National Guard support were met with the political equivalent of “I’ll get back to you on that.” According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Frey’s initial call was made at 6:39 p.m. on May 27, 2020. Six essential minutes before this call, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo was already reporting looting near a police station. Alas, Walz’s decision was still pending.

The situation continued to unravel without immediate intervention. Frey’s further communications, through texts and emails, painted a stark picture of urgency but continued to hit a wall of indecision. Despite Frey’s persistent queries and clarifications, the help he pleaded for was anything but immediate.
Walz’s Delayed Response
May 28 rolled around, and the city’s plea for help became even more desperate. Noting widespread looting and injuries, Frey made another formal request for troops, underscoring the incapability of local police and fire departments to handle the situation alone. However, it wasn’t until the evening of May 28 that some action was seen—a mere 100 guardsmen arrived, woefully insufficient and far too late.
Fast forward to Friday, May 29, and we have a finger-pointing press conference. Walz blamed Frey for the “abject failure” in handling the unrest, leaving the mayor stunned as this contradicted their prior conversations.

Enter Hope Walz: The Social Media Maven
As if the tragic situation wasn’t enough of a firestorm, it was discovered that Hope Walz, with access to inside information, had been busy on Twitter. Her tweets significantly undercut efforts to stabilize the city, giving rioters and the public updates on the Guard’s movements. Imagine that—a digital town crier in the middle of a crisis.
Hope’s tweets ranged from assurances that the National Guard wouldn’t be present that night to explanations of the logistical challenges in deploying the Guard, inadvertently signaling to protesters the slow response time. If timing is everything, then this was spectacularly off.

The Senate Report: A Stinging Critique
The Minnesota Senate’s Republican-controlled Joint Transportation and Judiciary and Public Safety Committee had its say, criticizing Walz for failing to act promptly. They pointed out that despite the situation spiraling out of control, there was a known request for at least 600 guardsmen at 9:11 p.m. on May 27. Yet, the response was tepid at best.
To stir the pot even more, it was noted in the report that Hope’s tweets likely put the safety of officers and guardsmen in jeopardy. Her unintended yet impactful broadcasting of their movements didn’t exactly help to quell the chaos.
The drama reached a fever pitch when Walz activated the National Guard only at 2:30 p.m. on May 28—an astounding 18 hours post the initial request. By the time soldiers hit the ground, the damage—both physical and reputational—had been done.

Political Ramifications and Public Outcry
It’s never straightforward in the theater of politics. Fast forward to today, Walz is now Kamala Harris’ vice-presidential running mate, a move stirring fresh controversy over his handling of the Minneapolis unrest. Critics argue that this choice speaks volumes about Harris’s stance and strategy, blending the existing political cocktail with a dash of skepticism and public unease.
Walz’s camp defended his strategic thinking, citing his 24-year tenure with the Minnesota National Guard and the necessity for detailed planning. However, critics, including several state senators, suggest that the delay was a major lapse in judgement, accentuated by his daughter’s tweets adding fuel to the already raging literal and figurative fires.
Mary’s Take: The Symphony of Errors
Oh, the tangled webs we weave when politics and social media collide. Could it have been handled better? Absolutely. Should the Governor’s daughter have had that kind of access to vital information? Probably not. The whole episode serves as a stark reminder of the critical role leadership plays under pressure—and the far-reaching impact of seemingly innocuous tweets.
Here’s the kicker: while fingers point, tweets fly, and political posturing takes center stage, the real victims are the residents and business owners who endured the chaos. As the smoke clears and the narratives unfold, one can only hope lessons are learned and history doesn’t repeat itself. But hey, in the wacky world of politics, who can really say?