WC Minnesota News

Sen. Torrey Westrom responded to Gov. Tim Walz's comment on Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's decision to call in the National Guard at the end of May, calling it "revealing."

Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus reports Walz said of Frey's decision, "I don’t think the mayor knew what he was asking for. I think the mayor said, ‘I request the National Guard, whew, this is great. We’re going to have massively trained troops.’ No. You’re going to have 19-year-olds who are cooks in some cases.” 

Westrom said Walz's excuse for his lack of action during the riots would be "laughable" if it wasn't degrading to the people that serve the country, according to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus.

"To expect a city’s mayor, who has no experience whatsoever with the National Guard, to put in a request with full battle plans ready, is ridiculous. The governor was in the Guard for years and he couldn’t bring himself to offer suggestions or guidance as Minneapolis burned?" Westrom said. “When the National Guard was finally mobilized, they did exemplary work. High levels of professionalism and exceptional training are always their reputation, and they did it proud during those chaotic days. Gov. Walz’s willingness to throw the Guard under the bus, despite their great work, mirrors his well-known comments about rural Minnesota just being a bunch of ‘rocks and cows.’ His statements are both revealing and pathetic.”