Tim Walz and Jacob Frey have spent weeks grandstanding with their anti-ICE rhetoric, and frankly, for all their talk about community, they’re not helping their constituents. They claim they’re calling for peaceful protests, but we can all read through the lines. Their act fools no one. We know what they’re really doing. But it’s time for them to stop pouring gasoline on the fire and start thinking about the people they represent.
After Saturday's shooting, Frey demanded to know "how many more residents, how many more Americans, need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?" Walz called the situation "sickening" and demanded that Trump "pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota." Even Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said of the recent shooting that “even if there is an investigation that ultimately proves that at the time of the shooting it was legally justified, I don’t think that even matters at this point, because … there is so much outrage and concern around what is happening in the city.… People have had enough!” These are not the words of officials trying to de-escalate. They are the words of politicians playing to their base while Minnesota burns.
It’s so painfully obvious what they’re doing that even local business leaders are telling them what’s what.
Over 60 chief executives from the state's biggest companies have issued an urgent letter calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions after another fatal shooting by federal agents rocked Minneapolis on Saturday. The signatories include the heads of Target, Best Buy, General Mills, Cargill, 3M, U.S. Bancorp, and Mayo Clinic, as well as professional sports organizations such as the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves, and Wild.
Related: Turley Destroys Walz and Frey’s Anti-Law Enforcement Tirade After Shooting
The CEOs posted their open letter on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website on Sunday. The letter calls on "state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions," striking a deliberately neutral tone that avoids taking sides, but is nevertheless an indictment of Walz and Frey.
"In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future," the executives wrote.
This marks the first time Minnesota's most recognizable businesses have weighed in on the turmoil surrounding the immigration enforcement surge.
Make no mistake about it, the impact of the rising tensions caused by Walz and Frey’s rhetoric isn’t isolated. Businesses across the state report devastating economic consequences. Businesses have reportedly seen sales drops of up to 80%. Protesters have targeted companies like Target for not taking strong enough stands against federal law enforcement activity. The business leaders made clear they want stability restored so families and companies can get back to everyday life and work.
Will Walz and Frey listen? I wouldn’t count on it. They have chosen political ambition over public responsibility. When elected officials demonize law enforcement and frame federal operations as an occupying force, activists interpret that as a green light to escalate. That escalation spills into the streets, cripples local businesses, and puts innocent people at risk.
It’s a shame what they’re doing to their community to make a political statement.
