(St. Paul, MN)- 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 Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) responded to his statement with the following:
“I have waited several days to comment following the governor’s statements hoping for an apology, an explanation, or even a walk-back of the derogatory comments about MN guard members. I do not want to mix the governor and my political differences and intertwine it with our respective service to the Guard because I value it too much. However, there has been no apology or even comment, and I must respond.
“My reply to the governor’s statement is this: remember who these 19-year-old cooks are. They represent less than 1% of our population, the few that, of their own volition, stand up and defend our nation, state, and any place in the world that calls out for help. These young men and women have taken an oath that may remove them from the people they love for months or years. They are a family – a large, diverse, skilled, and tight-knit family. You shouldn’t call your family names. I take offense when anyone, especially the governor of Minnesota, talks down to them. They deserve nothing but our admiration and respect.
“Over the last few months, our nation and state have experienced a time of civil unrest, crime, political infighting, racial tension, and media sensationalism. Throughout this, our military has remained steadfast and loyal. Without a doubt, they were the ones who saved the City of Minneapolis from failed leadership and failed policies. The administration’s tone and viewpoint will continue to trouble me as we move forward without an apology. I will continue to stand next to these so-called “cooks” and fight, whether for freedom or respect, because they deserve both.”