Bad governor decisions are at the center of new political criticism from Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security. On Tuesday, she targeted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, blaming him for poor leadership during the 2020 riots.
Speaking to reporters, Noem said President Trump would not let similar chaos unfold again. This time, violent protests in Los Angeles have prompted immediate federal action. Thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines are now deployed in the city.
Noem previously served as South Dakota’s governor. She used Minnesota as a warning example, criticizing how Walz handled civil unrest after George Floyd’s death in 2020.
“I watched him let his city burn,” she said firmly. “The president and I agreed we wouldn’t let that happen again.”
Walz, elected in 2019, struggled with early decisions during the 2020 riots. He later accepted responsibility for the delay in deploying the National Guard. Still, he defended his overall response.
In a 2022 debate, Walz said he felt proud of Minnesota’s reaction. He praised the firefighters, police, and citizens who worked to restore order.
However, Noem believes bad governor decisions like Walz’s still carry consequences. She warned that ignoring threats can result in unnecessary destruction and chaos.
As protests erupted in Los Angeles following a ICE arrests, Trump acted quickly. He approved the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines. His goal, according to Noem, is to prevent the mistakes made in Minnesota.
But California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back against Trump’s order. Newsom claimed many troops were sitting idle without clear directives. He also argued Trump’s action bypassed state authority.
Normally, governors control National Guard forces. Yet Trump invoked special federal powers to override Newsom. He said fast action was critical to public safety.
Still, critics like Newsom believe federal overreach violates state sovereignty. Noem disagrees, stating that bad governor decisions should not stand in the way of national security.
As tensions grow, both sides remain locked in a legal and political standoff. Trump’s administration stands firm on using federal troops to maintain order. Meanwhile, Democrats insist states should handle their own affairs.
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