On Monday, Governor Walz commented on Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s claims of hesitation to send in the National Guard to Minneapolis on May 27 with this statement, “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.”

Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) issued the following statement:

“I am deeply disappointed that this is what Governor Walz, the Commander in Chief of the Minnesota National Guard, thinks of his soldiers. Minnesota is fortunate to have one of the best National Guards in the country, and each one of our National Guard members contributes to that distinction.”

“My question to Governor Walz is that if the Mayor does not know how to ask for the Guard, why not send a liaison over and help him figure it out? Why not support him by utilizing our Guard effectively to protect our communities. There is obviously more our Governor could have done to prevent the devastation we witnessed in the Twin Cities.”

 “Governor Walz’s comments are truly terrible and insensitive to the sacrifices and commitment that each of our soldiers has made to this state. As a member of the National Guard myself, I can only counter to say that I have had the privilege of serving and leading these same “19-year-old cooks” in both Minnesota and Iraq. All of them have been outstanding in their ability to beat any challenge that they met.“

“I hope that in the future that Governor Walz will afford our National Guard the respect that they deserve.”