In a startling revelation that has reignited discussions about the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Gwen Walz, wife of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, admitted to keeping her windows open to “smell the burning tires” during the riots.
The admission, made during an interview on KSTP-TV’s “5 Eyewitness News Nightcast,” has resurfaced following Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement of Walz as her running mate for the 2024 election.
Gwen Walz described the experience as a “touchstone” moment, stating, “I could smell the burning tires. That was a very real thing, and I kept the windows open as long as I could because I felt like that was such a touchstone of what was happening.”
This statement has sparked controversy and raised questions about the Walz family’s perspective on the violent events that unfolded in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd.
Additionally, Walz’s daughter faced backlash for tweeting the position of the National Guard to help rioters avoid getting caught during the protests.
The Daily Caller reported that the riots, which lasted for three days, saw widespread looting and the burning of numerous buildings in Minneapolis. The intensity of the situation prompted calls for immediate action, with many criticizing Governor Walz’s initial response to the unrest.
Republican lawmakers and online commentators have been quick to point out that Governor Walz hesitated to deploy the National Guard to quell the violence. At the time, Walz defended his decision, arguing that an armed presence might escalate tensions further.
“I want to just be clear there’s philosophically an argument to be made that an armed presence on the ground in the midst of where we just had a police killing is seen as a catalyst,” Walz stated during the crisis, as highlighted by the Daily Caller.
Fox News reported that this approach, which prioritized giving protesters space to express their outrage, has come under renewed scrutiny in light of the recent revelations. Critics argue that the delay in deploying the National Guard allowed the situation to spiral out of control, resulting in extensive property damage and endangering lives.
The resurfaced interview with Gwen Walz has added a personal dimension to the political debate surrounding the handling of the 2020 riots. Her comments have been interpreted by some as insensitive to the destruction and fear experienced by many Minneapolis residents during that tumultuous period.
Adding more fuel to the Walz family controversy, their daughter Hope tweeted the line position of the National Guard in an attempt to protect rioters.
“His daughter is as insane as Kamala’s unnatural daughter, it seems,” one X user posted.
As the 2024 election campaign gains momentum, the Walz family’s stance on law enforcement and public safety is likely to face increased scrutiny. Neither Governor Walz’s office nor the Harris campaign has responded to requests for comment on the matter, noted by the Daily Caller and Fox News.
It remains to be seen how this revelation will impact public perception of the Harris-Walz ticket and their approach to issues of civil unrest and public safety.
The resurfacing of this interview highlights the enduring impact of the 2020 riots on American politics and public discourse.