Gov. Tim Walz was a no-show Monday at a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where he had been listed as a speaker, multiple people with direct knowledge first confirmed to Alpha News Monday night.
🚨NEW: While Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made time to visit George Floyd Square to dance today, multiple people with direct knowledge of Fort Snelling’s Memorial Day program confirm he did not attend, despite appearing in the program to speak.
“We are supposed to honor our… pic.twitter.com/kTEMrgWg3D
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) May 26, 2026
Meanwhile, footage showed Walz participating in events at George Floyd Square, including dancing during commemorations marking the sixth anniversary of Floyd’s death.
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., blasted the governor, writing on X: “Prancing and dancing at a George Floyd event on Memorial Day is a disgrace to our fallen heroes. This is shameful, [Tim Walz].”
Prancing and dancing at a George Floyd event on Memorial Day is a disgrace to our fallen heroes.
This is shameful, @Tim_Walz. https://t.co/IPtzWS4PPM
— Tom Emmer (@tomemmer) May 26, 2026
A livestream of the Fort Snelling ceremony from FOX 9 showed U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith delivering remarks alongside cemetery officials and military representatives — but Walz never appeared.
Walz’s absence quickly drew intense criticism online after Alpha News broke the story, particularly after the governor posted about Floyd’s death later that day.
“Six years ago today, George Floyd’s murder started a global movement for change,” Walz wrote on social media. “Let us continue working to build a society that lives up to its democratic ideals of liberty and justice for all.”
Six years ago today, George Floyd’s murder started a global movement for change.
Let us continue working to build a society that lives up to its democratic ideals of liberty and justice for all.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 25, 2026
Walz also posted about Memorial Day, calling on Minnesotans to “come together to remember the heroes who gave their lives for the freedoms and values that define our great nation.”
Separately, Walz, Klobuchar and Attorney General Keith Ellison Ellison attended a Memorial Day program at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis, according to a tip and photos of the event received by Alpha News.
A resident’s family member who attended said many veterans and their spouses “booed” when the three Democrats were introduced.
Walz’s office did not respond to requests for comment. After Alpha News reached out for comment, the governor posted on social media about his trip to the veterans home.
Alpha News reached out to Klobuchar to ask whether there were any discussions or requests involving Walz’s appearance at the Fort Snelling ceremony, but did not receive a response.
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.
