[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today issued Executive Order 21-06, authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance to Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the upcoming trials of the former officers involved in the death of George Floyd. Members of the Guard will be visible and available as needed as public interest increases surrounding the trials.

“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. “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.”

“As public interest increases and decreases throughout the legal process, members of the Guard will be ready to supplement local law enforcement efforts to keep the peace, ensure public safety, and allow for peaceful demonstrations,” Governor Walz continued.

Governor Walz’s Executive Order is part of a months-long public safety planning process among local law enforcement agencies and all levels of government, including city and county governments, to prepare for heightened interest in the upcoming trials of the former officers.

Governor Walz called on the Legislature this week to quickly pass his SAFE Account proposal. This funding is a critical tool to help ensure there are enough sworn law enforcement officers to be able to employ the National Guard. Because the National Guard is not a law enforcement agency, they must partner with police to help prevent or respond to any unrest. This will require significant mutual aid from adjacent cities and counties, which has a fiscal cost. The SAFE Account would ensure that cities and counties across the state that volunteer to send additional police officers are reimbursed for their efforts to help secure this extraordinary event.

Executive Order 21-06 is effective fifteen days after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State.