Walz authorizes Minnesota National Guard to help Minneapolis police amid protests

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday approved an order to deploy state National Guard troops in Minneapolis to support local law enforcement officers out of an abundance of caution amid protests in the state's largest city.

Protests in Minneapolis began Wednesday after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a woman who was allegedly attempting to run agents over with her car.

Walz said the National Guard troops would help protect critical infrastructure in the city and help maintain public safety if the protests turn violent. However, he emphasized that he believes "peace will hold." 

“Minnesotans have met this moment," Walz said. "Thousands of people have peacefully made their voices heard. Minnesota: thank you. We saw powerful peace. We have every reason to believe that peace will hold. Yesterday, I directed the National Guard to be ready should they be needed. They remain ready in the event they are needed to help keep the peace, ensure public safety, and allow for peaceful demonstrations.” 

The governor's office said 85 members of the Minnesota State Patrol's Mobile Response Team have also been sent to Minneapolis to support law enforcement efforts in the Twin Cities.

Protests continued Thursday, when protesters briefly clashed with federal authorities in riot gear outside the Whipple Building, which houses the regional ICE headquarters. Officers arrested at least two people and deployed chemical irritants.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.