Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks to reporters after he announced that he would not seek reelection, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Tim Evans
Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) had a blunt message for Immigration and Customs Enforcement after an officer was caught on video fatally shooting a woman as she appeared to drive away in her car: get out of our state.
Furthermore, he said in his announcement, he stands ready to activate the Minnesota National Guard to protect people from violence.
"From here on, I have a very simple message. We do not need any further help from the federal government," said Walz. "To Donald Trump and [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem: You've done enough."
"There's nothing more important than Minnesotans' safety," said Walz. "I've issued a warningorder to prepare the MinnesotaNational Guard. We have soldiersin training and prepared to bedeployed if necessary."
"I remind you, a warning order is a heads-up for folks, and these National Guard troops are our National Guard troops," Walz continued. "They're teachers in your community. They're business owners. They're construction professionals. They are Minnesotans."
He added, "Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight. We will not take the bait."
Despite multiple videos from different angles that clearly show the ICE officer shooting through the car's open window as the woman turned to drive away, Trump has already posted a lengthy rant defending ICE's actions and claiming that an officer was seriously injured and now recovering in the hospital.