Republican vice-presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance made a quick stop in the Twin Cities Monday, going after Gov. Tim Walz’s handling of the 2020 riots.
Vance’s visit comes just three weeks before Election Day, as both parties work hard to win over undecided voters.
Vance touched down at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Trump Force Two with his wife, Usha. From there, they headed straight to a private fundraiser at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan. The event, attended by about 40 donors, was closed to the press, and no word was given on how much money was raised.
Visit to Third Precinct in Minneapolis
After the fundraiser, Vance visited the site of the burned-out Third Precinct in Minneapolis, a scene that became infamous during the 2020 riots. There he met with officers and staff who had been inside the precinct when rioters overtook the building, as well as one officer who had his teeth knocked out from a brick thrown by rioters.
Flanked by former Minneapolis police officers and Second District Republican candidate Joe Teirab, Vance did not mince words when it came to the Minnesota governor.
“This precinct was … burned out because of Tim Walz’s failed leadership,” Vance said as he stood in front of the boarded-up building. “These officers were left for dead by their leaders. And now the guy responsible for this wants to be vice president.”
Several officers recounted their experiences during the 2020 riots in the Alpha News documentary “The Fall of Minneapolis” released last year.
Vance used the visit to hammer home his law-and-order message, emphasizing the need for strong leadership on crime. “We need a president who stands with our police officers and supports law and order. That president is Donald Trump,” Vance said.
He went on to criticize what he sees as a misguided approach to addressing violent crime.
“It occurred to me that there’s a fundamental racist assumption at the heart of most progressive arguments about violent crime,” Vance said. “This idea that somehow it is racist to enforce our laws and to throw violent criminals in jail is absurd, because we know that most Black Americans, whether in Minneapolis or outside of the city, are law-abiding citizens.”
Vance stressed the impact that a small number of people committing violent crimes can have on a community.
“If you just empower law enforcement to go after the bad guys, you can make people’s communities safer,” Vance said. “You can give every rich and poor American the right to safety in their communities, and you can make sure that the most violent criminals are locked away instead of set free into our communities.”
He also pointed out the nationwide shortage of police officers, blaming it on a lack of support from political leaders. “It’s no wonder we have a recruiting crisis when governors abandon their officers during riots,” Vance added.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey accuses Vance of ‘playing politics’
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey slammed Vance’s visit, calling it an “unserious stunt.”
Frey took to X to accuse Vance of using the burned-out Third Precinct as a backdrop to take cheap shots at Gov. Walz.
“Instead of offering real solutions, Vance is just staging photo ops,” Frey said.
JD – you got a few things wrong today during your visit to Minneapolis. Let us know when you’re back in town! pic.twitter.com/kHQiOZ9fS3
— Jacob Frey (@Jacob_Frey) October 14, 2024
Vance optimistic for Minnesota
Despite Minnesota’s history as a Democratic-leaning state, Vance seemed confident about the Trump-Vance ticket’s chances in November.
“I think we actually have a chance in Minnesota,” he said, pointing to what he described as growing momentum. He also noted how close Trump came to winning the state in 2016, saying a repeat could be in the cards this time around.
As the campaigns enter their final stretch, Vance’s focus on law enforcement and crime is likely to be a key message, as he and his team aim to flip Minnesota red—something that has not happened since 1972.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
