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Fact check: Did Trump's decision affect the federal response to the protests in Minnesota?

Checked on June 18, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Trump's decision not to call Governor Tim Walz did affect the federal response to protests in Minnesota, representing a departure from traditional presidential protocol during state crises [1] [2]. The sources reveal that while Trump chose not to reach out to Walz, calling it a "waste of time," Vice President JD Vance and former President Joe Biden did contact the governor, indicating some level of federal engagement despite Trump's absence [1] [2].

The analyses also expose significant contradictions in Trump's claims about his previous responses to Minnesota crises. Specifically, Trump falsely claimed he deployed the military during the 2020 Minneapolis protests, when in reality it was Governor Tim Walz who deployed the National Guard [3]. This pattern of misinformation raises questions about Trump's credibility regarding federal crisis response.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial pieces of context revealed in the analyses:

  • The specific nature of recent violence in Minnesota: The sources reference deadly shootings targeting state politicians and lawmakers, including an assassination attempt on Speaker Melissa Hortman [4] [5], which provides important context for understanding the federal response.
  • The scale and nature of the protests: The analyses reveal "No Kings" protests involving tens of thousands of participants who were demonstrating against the Trump administration [4] [5], not just general civil unrest.
  • Trump's threatening rhetoric: One source indicates Trump stated that protesters "are going to be met with very big force" [6], which could be seen as either a deterrent or an escalation of tensions.
  • The misinformation campaign: Multiple sources document how MAGA figures, including Donald Trump Jr., spread false information claiming the Minnesota shooter was a Democrat despite evidence suggesting he was a Trump supporter [7] [8] [9].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but omits critical context that could influence interpretation:

  • It fails to specify which protests - the analyses reveal these were specifically anti-Trump "No Kings" protests following violence against Democratic politicians, not general civil unrest.
  • It doesn't acknowledge the pattern of Trump's false claims about his previous responses to Minnesota crises, as documented in his lies about deploying the military in 2020 [3].
  • The question doesn't address the broader misinformation ecosystem surrounding these events, where right-wing influencers and Republican officials have systematically spread conspiracy theories to deflect blame and portray political opponents as violent [7] [8] [9].

The analyses suggest that Trump and MAGA-aligned figures benefit from maintaining narratives that either minimize their responsibility or falsely attribute violence to their political opponents, even when evidence contradicts these claims.

Want to dive deeper?
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