Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is now finding himself under intense scrutiny as his handling of the Minneapolis riots following the tragic murder of George Floyd comes into the national spotlight. This attention has been further heightened after Vice President Kamala Harris announced him as her running mate for the 2024 election. While former President Donald Trump initially commended Walz's response to the riots, his campaign now accuses the governor of allowing Minneapolis to burn for days. To shed light on the situation, we present a timeline of events during that fateful week and the conclusions of two investigations into the local and state leadership's response.

The chain of events began when police responded to a call about a possible counterfeit $20 bill being used at a local store. This encounter led to the arrest of George Floyd, a Black man, who was handcuffed and placed face-down on the ground. Officer Derek Chauvin then pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for a distressing 9 minutes and 30 seconds, despite desperate pleas from bystanders. Floyd ultimately became unresponsive and was pronounced dead at a hospital, sparking outrage and grief within the community.

The following day, the police issued a statement claiming that Floyd's death was the result of a "medical incident" and insinuated that he had physically resisted arrest and appeared to be in medical distress. However, the release of a bystander video showing the brutal reality of the incident prompted the FBI to join the investigation. Chauvin, along with three other officers involved - Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao - were swiftly fired, further fueling public outcry.

Protests began to sweep the streets of south Minneapolis, as hundreds of people gathered to express their grief and frustration. While the daytime demonstrations remained peaceful, the nights were marred by violence, looting, and vandalism. The 3rd Precinct police building became a target for protesters, resulting in tear gas being deployed by law enforcement. The situation escalated further when a man was shot and killed outside a store amidst the chaos.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey played a crucial role in urging for action. In a state senate investigation, it was revealed that Mayor Frey contacted Governor Walz on Wednesday at 6:29 p.m., requesting the deployment of the National Guard. The mayor's urgency was confirmed through text messages exchanged between his staff, hinting at Governor Walz's hesitancy. While a press release was drafted by the mayor's office at 9:00 p.m., it was never sent as a means to avoid pressuring the governor through the media.

Police Chief Medaria Arradondo also submitted a four-part plan at 9:11 p.m. that same night, urgently requesting 600 Minnesota National Guard troops from Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington. However, the request was deemed too vague by Harrington. Governor Walz acknowledged receiving an informal verbal request from Mayor Frey late Wednesday and a written request the following morning, Thursday, May 28. The governor maintains that the deployment of citizen-soldiers with little advance notice takes time.

As the nation's eyes turn towards Governor Tim Walz's response to the Minneapolis riots, two investigations have shed light on the actions of local and state officials during that tumultuous week. The controversy surrounding his handling of the situation adds a new layer of complexity as he embarks on his political journey as Vice President Harris's running mate. The fallout from George Floyd's tragic death continues to reverberate, prompting a critical examination of the role played by leaders during times of civil unrest.