On the one-week anniversary of Renee Good’s death, Governor Walz addressed Minnesotans as thousands of federal agents remain in the state.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent thousands more agents to the Twin Cities for immigration enforcement and fraud investigations.
RELATED: ‘It’s putting people at risk’: Walz, Twin Cities leaders denounce ICE immigration operations
In an address on Wednesday evening, Gov. Walz described the 2,000 to 3,000 federal agents as “armed, masked,” and “under-trained.”
The governor alleged agents are going door-to-door to homes around the state and asking residents to point out where their non-white neighbors live.
“Just plain grabbing Minnesotans and shoving them into unmarked vans,” Walz said, adding that agents are “Kidnapping innocent people with no warning and no due process.”
“It’s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government,” he said.
Walz also addressed President Trump’s remarks on social media that “the day of retribution and reckoning is coming” for Minnesotans.
“That is a direct threat against the people of this state, who dared to vote against him three times, and who continue to stand up for freedom with courage and empathy and profound grace,” Walz said.
Walz added that Trump wants chaos, confusion and violence on the streets of Minnesota, saying, “We cannot give him what he wants.”
The governor also reminded Minnesotans that it is their right to peacefully film ICE agents, encouraging residents to use their phones to film suspected federal law enforcement activity whenever safely able.
“Take out that phone and hit record,” said Walz. “Help us create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans, not just to establish a record for posterity but to bank evidence for future prosecution.”
Walz ended the brief speech by expressing pride in the way Minnesotans have reacted to this moment.
“We’re an island of decency in a country being driven towards cruelty,” Walz said, adding, “We will remain an island of decency, of justice, of community, of peace.”
Chairman of the Minnesota GOP, Alex Plechash, shared a response with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Wednesday evening.
“Governor Walz’s statewide address tonight was another reminder of why Minnesota is in crisis: failed leadership, finger-pointing, and zero accountability.
“Instead of owning the consequences of his record, Governor Walz chose to blame President Trump and federal law enforcement — the same tired deflection Minnesotans have heard for years. Let’s be absolutely clear: Democrats were in charge. They failed.
“For 20 years, Amy Klobuchar has been a reliable vote in Washington for the same policies that produced an open border, overwhelmed communities, and put public safety at risk. Governor Walz did nothing to push back, nothing to demand enforcement, and nothing to protect Minnesota. Now the consequences of those failures are unfolding in real time — and their only response is to blame someone else.
“While Walz lectures Minnesotans, our state has been bankrupted by fraud, our schools are failing, crime has surged, businesses have fled, and trust in government has collapsed. Minnesota didn’t end up here by accident — it happened because one-party Democrat rule abandoned common sense and refused to enforce the law.
“Let’s also be clear about what is preventing chaos right now: federal authorities enforcing the law. Violent criminals are being taken off the streets — something state leadership refused to do until Washington stepped in.
“Minnesotans are done with excuses. We are done with blame-shifting. We are done with career politicians who talk while communities suffer.
“Minnesota is ready to move on. It’s time to restore order, accountability, and common sense — and that starts by electing Republicans who will put public safety, the rule of law, and Minnesotans first.”
Walz’s remarks can be watched in the video player below.