In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump's past praise for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's handling of the protests following George Floyd's murder has undermined one of the GOP's key lines of attack against Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. Critics have accused Walz of stalling the mobilization of the National Guard during the riots, but Trump's recorded phone call with governors reveals he fully agreed with the governor's actions.

Republican Senator JD Vance swiftly condemned Governor Walz's handling of the riots, blaming him for allowing the streets of Minneapolis to be burned down. However, a recording obtained by ABC News contradicts these claims, with Trump expressing support for Walz's decision-making during the protests in a phone call on June 1, 2020.

During the call, Trump acknowledged Walz's leadership, considering his handling of the situation as exemplary for other states to follow. Trump even mentioned the governor's use of the National Guard and suggested that it was his encouragement that prompted Walz to call them in. This defies the narrative put forth by GOP critics, who argue that Walz was hesitant to deploy the National Guard.

The Harris-Walz campaign countered the claims made by the Trump campaign, stating that the former president's praise came after the governor had already made the decision to deploy the National Guard. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Karoline Leavitt, insisted that Trump's approval only came after Walz took action to end the violence in Minneapolis.

The Republican Party's staunch criticism of Walz came in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, during which rioters caused extensive property damage, burning down 1,500 buildings and resulting in at least three deaths. Republicans accused Walz of hesitating to mobilize the National Guard, blaming his delays for the loss of lives and destruction of communities and livelihoods.

While Walz, a 24-year veteran of the National Guard, ultimately mobilized over 7,000 guardsmen to the Twin Cities, Republicans argued that the decision came 18 hours after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey initially requested military personnel. An investigative report compiled by Republicans in the state Senate claimed that this hesitation cost Minnesotans dearly.

Walz rejected the Republican report, considering it a politically motivated attack just weeks before his 2022 reelection campaign. He brushed off scrutiny of his handling of the protests, expressing that he believes they did the best they could under the circumstances.

The unrest in Minneapolis following George Floyd's murder led city officials to scramble for containment measures. By Wednesday evening, the city's police had exhausted all available resources, leading Mayor Frey to request the National Guard at 6:29 p.m. that same day. A written request from city police officials followed later that evening, outlining the need for 600 guardsmen to assist with security and logistical support.

However, records indicate that Mayor Frey's office did not disseminate a draft press release announcing the deployment of the National Guard and that city staffers were informed of Governor Walz's hesitation. According to an after-action report commissioned by the state, the city did not receive any follow-up on the request until much later.

Governor Walz eventually imposed a curfew and mobilized the National Guard on Thursday afternoon. By that weekend, the unrest had largely been quelled. Walz acknowledged Trump's support in terms of supplying necessary resources during that time.

After the protests, multiple reports cited miscommunications and public disputes between Walz and Frey as hindrances to effective handling of the situation. Walz himself expressed disappointment in the response, terming it an "abject failure."

The revelation of Trump's praise for Governor Walz's handling of the protests weakens the Republican Party's attack on Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. The recorded phone call showcases Trump's initial approval of Walz's decision-making process, contradicting the narrative put forth by GOP critics. With this newfound information, the focus of the criticisms against Walz may shift, prompting a reassessment of the claims made against him.