St. Paul, MN – 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 in some cases.” 

Senator Gary Dahms (R ‒ Redwood Falls) issued the following reply: 

“Governor Walz’s slight of the dedicated troops in the National Guard, despite his former service, is appalling.

“The many friends, children, and siblings who have dedicated themselves to serve their country are not ’19-year-old-cooks,’ but highly trained military units. They are often deployed overseas to dangerous situations, leaving their families and livelihoods behind.  

“Regardless of the Guard’s experience with riot control, they entered the fray, handled themselves professionally, and successfully calmed a chaotic, lawless situation. They were an example of well-trained professionals as is their usual reputation throughout the state.  Governor Walz has offered a great insult by blaming everyone else for his failures in Minneapolis. His consistent deflection of blame demonstrates his lack of leadership.

“The National Guard remedied a botched plan the governor helped create and deserves both an enthusiastic ‘thank you’ and a heartfelt apology.”

Senator Dahms is in his third term representing Senate District 16, which includes communities in Brown, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, Redwood, Renville, and Yellow Medicine counties. He also serves as chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee and is an assistant majority leader.