Gov. Walz Authorizes National Guard to Provide Security for Floyd Trial

Minneapolis city officials and state officials are working to secure the upcoming trials of the officers involved in the death of George Floyd.

Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 21-06 today that will allow for the Minnesota National Guard to provide public-safety assistance to the cities of Minneapolis and St.Paul during the upcoming trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, currently scheduled to start March 8th. The other officers are scheduled to start their trial on August 23rd.

“There are some public safety events for which you cannot plan, and there are some for which you can. The upcoming trials of the former officers involved in the death of George Floyd have raised the potential of civil unrest in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and nearby communities,” said Governor Walz in a press release. “At the request of the City of Minneapolis and the City of Saint Paul, I have authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement agencies during the upcoming trials.”

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Officials have been working on planning the security for these trials for months, this includes local, county, and state law enforcement agencies. There is little doubt that this trial will draw lots of protestors and media from all over the world.

Walz is urging lawmakers to pass the SAFE Account proposal to make sure there are enough law enforcement officers to be able to use the National Guard, as they must be partnered with actual police to help with any unrest. This will also allow cities from around the state to get reimbursed for sending officers to assist with the security operation.