Gov. Tim Walz authorizes National Guard to be staged, ready

Alex Derosier, Pioneer Press on Jan 8, 2026

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be staged and ready should they be needed to assist local law enforcement with any unrest following the federal agent’s fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman on Wednesday.

The Guard would be tasked with “protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining public safety,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.

Minnesota also is providing extra law enforcement resources in a response to aid local law enforcement, according to the governor’s office.

“The Minnesota State Patrol has mobilized 85 members of its Mobile Response Team to support law enforcement efforts in the Twin Cities,” the governor’s office said.

While Walz said protests have been peaceful so far, “out of an abundance of caution and in coordination with local officials,” the Guard is being readied.

“Minnesotans have met this moment,” Walz said, in a statement. “Thousands of people have peacefully made their voices heard. Minnesota: thank you. We saw powerful peace. We have every reason to believe that peace will hold.”

In comments earlier in the day Walz urged protesters to remain peaceful, saying that violence would give federal authorities the excuse to bring in more troops to Minnesota. State Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson echoed those statements, calling for peaceful, lawful protests.

Dozens of protesters gathered Thursday outside of a federal building on the edge of Minneapolis that is serving as a major base for the immigration crackdown. They chanted slogans against immigration officials.

On Wednesday Walz placed the Guard on notice that they may be called for service in the event of unrest. The notice was the first step that alerts 13,000 guard members that they may need to be called upon in the event of an emergency.

Walz’s executive order “authorizes the adjutant general to place National Guard personnel, equipment, and facilities on state active duty to coordinate and support public safety and security services in Minnesota,” according to the governor’s office.

The National Guard would help in a support role, with its focus being protecting critical infrastructure and letting area law enforcement work on community safety and other tasks.

Walz called out the National Guard in May of 2020 after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked widespread riots and looting in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He received criticism in some quarters that it came too late.