Trump praised Minnesota Gov. Walz in 2020 for response to unrest over Floyd’s murder, audio shows

In a phone call on June 1, 2020, President Donald Trump praised Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s handling of the response to the violence in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s murder. The call was attended by various administration officials including Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Army Gen. Mark Milley, and Attorney General William Barr.

After the riots erupted in Minneapolis and around the world following George Floyd’s murder, Governor Walz mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to help restore order in Minneapolis. Despite President Trump’s offer of federal help, Governor Walz did not take him up on it.

President Trump later claimed credit for the National Guard deployment, but it was actually Governor Walz who gave the mobilization order in response to requests from the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. During the call, President Trump described Governor Walz as “an excellent guy” and praised the quick and effective response by the National Guard.

However, a Trump campaign spokesperson later put a different spin on the call, criticizing Governor Walz for allowing the violence to continue for days despite President Trump’s offer of help. Governor Walz thanked President Trump, as well as Defense Secretary Esper and Gen. Milley, for their guidance and assistance, acknowledging that the city was grieving and in pain.