Kamala Harris’ choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the Democratic vice presidential candidate has brought attention back to how he managed the biggest crisis of his political career.

Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis in 2020, protests erupted in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The incident sparked a nationwide reckoning over racial discrimination and police misconduct. Republicans criticized Governor Walz for his handling of the protests, while some progressives felt he didn’t do enough to reform the state’s police departments.

Key Points:

A Fateful Week

George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, triggering widespread outrage. Peaceful protests turned violent with looting and clashes with the police. Governor Walz, a 24-year National Guard veteran, activated the National Guard on May 28 after the situation escalated. By May 30, calm was restored, but the damages were severe.

Criticism and Praise

The Republican-led Minnesota Senate held hearings blaming the state and local leadership for the crisis. Nonpartisan reviews also highlighted deficiencies in the response. However, Walz defended his actions, stating that tough decisions had to be made swiftly.

Trump’s Shift

Former President Trump initially praised Walz’s response to the crisis but later claimed credit for deploying the National Guard. Two nonpartisan reviews found shortcomings in the responses from the city and state.

Police Reform Efforts

In the aftermath of the protests, Walz pushed for significant changes and signed police accountability packages. While some critics felt his efforts fell short, political allies defended his actions as navigating a difficult situation effectively.

“All leaders who are bold enough to actually lead face scrutiny and criticism, with some believing they went too far and others not far enough. That is usually an indication that they found a necessary middle ground,” said civil rights attorney Ben Crump.

Despite the controversies surrounding his response, Governor Tim Walz stands by his decisions during the crisis, emphasizing the need for collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities in times of turmoil.