Republicans have intensified their criticism of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding his response to the mass protests that erupted in the aftermath of the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. As Governor Walz begins his campaign as Kamala Harris's running mate, his opponents have accused him of mishandling the violence by delaying the deployment of the National Guard. The protests resulted in at least two deaths, over 600 arrests, and caused extensive damages amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars across the state.

Governor Walz recently defended his actions, stating that his administration did its best in a challenging situation. The death of George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, ignited days of protests that escalated into riots and looting. The unrest quickly overwhelmed local authorities, leading Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to request Governor Walz's deployment of the National Guard two days after Floyd's death on May 25, 2020. The city's police chief also submitted a written request for 600 troops shortly afterward.

However, it wasn't until May 28, three days into the violence, that Governor Walz signed an executive order activating Minnesota's National Guard. In his order, he cited extensive damage to private property and a dangerous situation for protesters and first responders. Although some troops were deployed that night, their primary task was to protect federal buildings, and they were unable to prevent the riots, including the burning of a local police station.

An external review conducted for Minnesota's Department of Public Safety in 2022 revealed that some local officials felt abandoned, claiming that the National Guard arrived when most of the chaos had already subsided. A separate report by the then-Republican controlled Minnesota Senate in October 2020 also criticized Governor Walz, stating that he had the authority and responsibility to use force and law enforcement to quell the violence but failed to do so.

With Governor Walz joining Kamala Harris's campaign, Republicans have once again seized on the criticism of his handling of the 2020 protests. Republican vice-presidential hopeful JD Vance questioned whether black business owners in Minneapolis are grateful to Governor Walz for allowing rioters to destroy their businesses. The governor's office has been contacted to provide a comment on the matter.

Governor Walz, in response, claimed that the city's mayor did not provide him with adequate information to define a mission for the deployed soldiers at that time. He stated that decisions were made in a difficult situation, and the best was done given the circumstances. Experts noted that the situation on the ground in May 2020 was complex and confusing, pointing out communication breakdowns between city and state officials during the riots.

Several assessments of the response to the protests highlighted the failure of Minneapolis city officials to follow proper channels when requesting assistance. Instead of going through the correct channels, they contacted Governor Walz directly. Governor Walz, a 24-year veteran of Minnesota's National Guard, pushed for details from the mayor and subsequently activated the largest deployment of the state's National Guard since World War II.

Some experts, like Professor Michelle Phelps of the University of Minnesota, argued that a more forceful response could have potentially backfired, escalating the violence and destruction. However, advocates, including civil rights leader Al Sharpton, praised Governor Walz's handling of the aftermath and credited him for addressing issues of social justice and police brutality.

Governor Walz was re-elected as Minnesota's governor in 2022, two years after the protests. While some experts anticipate continued attacks from Republicans regarding his handling of the protests, it is unlikely to create a significant political liability for the governor among undecided voters.

Note: The information provided is based on the text provided and does not reflect my own views or opinions.