Walz Activates National Guard For Trials Of Ex-Cops Charged With Killing George Floyd

By Max Nesterak, the Minnesota Reformer

February 5, 2021

Gov. Tim Walz activated the National Guard on Friday to provide public safety assistance during the trials of four former Minneapolis police officers charged with killing George Floyd in May.

“The upcoming trials of the former officers involved in the death of George Floyd have raised the potential of civil unrest in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and nearby communities,” Walz said in a statement. “At the request of the city of Minneapolis and the city of Saint Paul, I have authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement agencies during the upcoming trials.”

Walz and Senate Republicans have been at odds in recent days over who should pay for heightened police presence during the murder trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin next month and the three other former officers who are scheduled to stand trial this summer.

On Wednesday, Walz urged lawmakers to approve a $35 million “SAFE Account” proposal to pay for law enforcement agencies to prevent widespread arson and looting like that which followed Floyd’s death last summer.

The following day, Senate Republicans proposed withholding local government aid to Minneapolis in order to pay for any law enforcement assistance from other cities.

In announcing the National Guard activation, Walz renewed his request that the Legislature pass the SAFE Account proposal.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..