Donald Trump “brings out the worst in people, and he brings out the worst in me,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated in a recent interview, reflecting on his controversial remarks urging Democrats to aggressively oppose the former president. Walz, who was Kamala Harris’s running mate during her unsuccessful presidential bid against Trump, expressed these sentiments in an interview with Minnesota’s KMSP, published Thursday.
The governor’s comments come after he urged Democrats in late May to be “a little meaner” and “bully the shit out of” Trump, as the party sought to recover from its electoral defeat. This call for fiercer opposition was made in the context of a politically charged atmosphere, further intensified by the assassination of former Minnesota state house speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in June.
Political Tensions and Tragic Events
On June 14, Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The suspect, Vance Boelter, also wounded Democratic state senator John Hoffman and his wife before surrendering to authorities. These incidents have added to the political tension in the state, with Walz’s interview marking his first public comments since the tragedy.
During the interview, Walz acknowledged the need for caution in political discourse, stating, “Do we have to watch some of that? Yeah.” He further reflected on the impact of Trump’s political style, which he described as pugnacious and divisive.
Trump’s Response and Walz’s Critique
Following the Hortmans’ killings, Trump issued a statement condemning the violence but refrained from contacting Walz, citing it as a “waste of time.” Walz criticized this response, accusing Trump of using the tragedy as an opportunity to attack him. “When this state is grieving and this nation saw what happened here, Donald Trump used it as an opportunity to attack me,” Walz remarked.
The governor expressed his ongoing grief over the loss of the Hortmans, lamenting the missed opportunity to build a friendship with Melissa Hortman outside the political arena. “I think that’s the piece that I regret,” he said.
Legal Proceedings and Political Implications
A federal grand jury has charged Vance Boelter with multiple crimes, including murder and stalking. Court documents revealed a handwritten letter from Boelter, claiming he was the shooter and alleging, without evidence, that Walz had encouraged him to target other Democratic officials. Both prosecutors and Walz have dismissed these claims as baseless.
Walz addressed his past connection to Boelter, who had been appointed to a state advisory board during Walz’s tenure. “Never, to the best of my ability, was [I] anywhere around” him, Walz stated, emphasizing his lack of personal interaction with the suspect.
Looking Ahead: Walz’s Political Future
Despite the current turmoil, Walz has announced his intention to seek a third term as Minnesota governor in 2026. The state’s governorship has no term limits, and some political analysts speculate that Walz could be a contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
This development follows a turbulent period in Minnesota politics, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by leaders in navigating the intersection of personal grief and public duty. As the state continues to heal from recent events, Walz’s leadership and future political ambitions remain under scrutiny.
