NC Minnesota News

Sen. Paul Utke responded to Gov. Tim Walz's recent statement about Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's request for National Guard troops in May, calling the comment "unacceptable."

Gov. Walz's comment mentioned Frey's hesitation, saying, "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,” according to Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus.

Utke said this comment is disparaging to military members who selflessly serve and their families.

“Our National Guard has showcased excellent training and professionalism throughout the last few months," Utke said, according to Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. "It was they, and only they, that were able to quell rioting in Minneapolis successfully. More recently, 700 members of the Guard were deployed to Africa for a year and due to COVID-19, they were denied the traditional ceremony to say final goodbyes to family and children."

Utke said Walz's statement is an "egregious" insult to the highly trained members of the Guard and the families who support them.

“The sacrifices of these soldiers and their families should be recognized, and their jobs esteemed by state leadership. This comment is unacceptable from someone who, frankly, knows better," he said.