ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Wednesday evening, Governor Tim Walz vowed to utilize all available resources to shield the people of Minnesota from the disruption he attributes to the leadership of President Donald Trump both domestically and globally.
In his annual State of the State address to the joint legislative assembly, the Democratic governor highlighted that while Minnesota remains robust, the nation faces a period of significant instability. He attributed this turmoil to the decisions made by the Republican president, suggesting it is neither incidental nor unforeseeable.
“The president of the United States has chosen – chosen! – to throw our economy into turmoil,” declared Walz. The governor proceeded to paint a dire picture: “Global markets are on a precipice of collapse. Many businesses, including those in Minnesota, are shedding jobs in large numbers. The costs of everyday necessities are climbing. And if you haven’t checked your 401(k) recently, you might want to delay it.”
This address marked Walz’s first significant public appearance since the 2024 elections, where he served as the vice-presidential candidate alongside Kamala Harris, a ticket which ultimately lost to Donald Trump and JD Vance. His speech was met with enthusiastic approval from the Democratic audience, contrasted by the muted responses from Republican members.
Walz reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the people of Minnesota, assuring, “As governor, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect Minnesotans from getting hurt and continue to provide shelter from the storm for Minnesotans.”
The governor has indicated he will decide post-legislative session whether to pursue a third four-year tenure—an achievement unprecedented since the state shifted from two-year terms in 1962. Notably, he has been mentioned frequently as a prospective Democratic presidential candidate for 2028 and has maintained public visibility through frequent television appearances and other engagements, echoing similar sentiments as expressed in his speech to keep his profile prominent on a national level.
Recently, Walz initiated a series of town hall meetings in Republican-held districts, starting in Iowa, a pivotally early state in presidential election cycles, This comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested GOP lawmakers should refrain from such events.
On the legislative front, Walz faces the immediate challenge of collaborating with a closely divided Legislature to finalize a balanced budget before the session concludes on May 19. With the House evenly split and Senate Democrats holding only a slender advantage, bipartisan cooperation is essential. Walz expressed optimism that Minnesota’s history of bipartisan collaboration would prevail despite national political divisions.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth, the highest-ranking Republican in state government, downplayed Washington’s influence, emphasizing that Minnesota legislators should concentrate on the current budgetary landscape. However, House GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska was more forthright in his criticism, characterizing Walz’s speech as an “angry rant about Donald Trump” and accused Democrats of deflecting blame by focusing on the former president.
A key concern for Walz is the potential adverse impact on Minnesota’s budget from proposed Medicaid cuts by congressional Republicans, which could necessitate a special legislative session to address budget deficits later in the year.
House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman supported Walz’s call to action by acknowledging the prevalent unease surrounding President Trump’s administration. “You can’t be alive and an American today and not say something about Donald Trump and the chaos that we’re seeing from Washington, D.C.,” she remarked, reaffirming the need for state legislators to focus on meaningful outcomes away from the tumult in Washington.
As a concluding message, Walz urged legislators to transcend mere complaints and demonstrate effective governance for Minnesotans and beyond. “Because the truth is, this current administration in Washington, they’re not forever,” he affirmed. “These small, petty men will disappear into the dustbin of history. And when they do, there will be an opportunity and an obligation to actually rebuild government so that it works for working people.”