He needs to resign ASAP.
Minnesota is facing a growing leadership crisis as violent unrest continues in Minneapolis, prompting a top Republican lawmaker to call for the governor’s immediate resignation over public safety failures and escalating chaos.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, the highest-ranking Minnesotan in Congress, renewed his demand that Governor Tim Walz step down, citing ongoing clashes between protesters and federal law enforcement tied to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
“The destruction unfolding in Minneapolis is unacceptable,” Emmer said in a statement Thursday. “This violence cannot be allowed to continue. Governor Walz should resign immediately. The safety of Minnesotans depends on it.”
Unrest Sparks National Attention
The turmoil began after a fatal encounter earlier this month involving a 37-year-old woman and agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Since then, protests have intensified, leading to repeated confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
Republicans argue the ICE agent involved acted in self-defense after the woman allegedly struck him with her vehicle while attempting to interfere with an active federal operation. Democrats, meanwhile, have blamed federal authorities, claiming the agent used excessive force during the encounter.
The divide has only widened after another ICE agent reportedly fired a shot during an arrest attempt this week, further inflaming tensions and drawing additional federal resources into Minneapolis.
Law Enforcement Under Pressure
Demonstrators have used loud horns, whistles, and coordinated disruptions during protests, while officers responded with crowd-control measures including tear gas and pepper balls in an effort to restore order.
Emmer placed responsibility squarely on Minnesota’s state leadership, arguing that years of soft-on-crime policies and resistance to federal immigration enforcement created the conditions now unfolding.
“Our state leaders’ inaction has failed Minnesotans and endangered the lives of law enforcement officers,” Emmer said. “These policies invited disorder, and the consequences are now impossible to ignore.”
Governor Fuels Political Firestorm
Rather than calming tensions, Walz drew criticism after delivering a speech Wednesday night accusing the federal government of targeting Minnesota communities.
Walz claimed President Donald Trump was intentionally escalating enforcement actions, framing the unrest as political retaliation against voters who opposed him.
Republicans pushed back, calling the remarks divisive and irresponsible at a time when leadership and stability are urgently needed.
Calls for Accountability Grow
As unrest persists and public confidence continues to erode, critics argue Minnesota is facing a leadership vacuum. With businesses disrupted, residents concerned about safety, and law enforcement stretched thin, pressure is mounting for accountability at the highest levels of state government.
For many Minnesotans, the question is no longer whether leadership has failed—but how long the state can afford to continue down its current path.
