Trump’s campaign is issuing a warning.
The Trump campaign has sharply criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, newly announced as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, labeling him as a “dangerously liberal extremist” and denouncing his vision for the country as “a nightmare for every American.”
Walz, a former congressman currently serving his second term as Minnesota’s governor, was chosen by Harris as her vice presidential pick. The Trump campaign, which has targeted Minnesota in hopes of flipping the traditionally Democratic state, has seized on Walz’s progressive policies and past criticisms. Recently, Walz referred to former President Trump and his running mate JD Vance as “weird,” a remark that has been embraced by the Harris campaign.
The Trump campaign, however, has been quick to attack Walz’s progressive agenda. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, criticized Walz for his liberal policies, suggesting that his vision aligns closely with Harris’s. Leavitt accused Walz of trying to transform Minnesota in the mold of California’s liberal policies, pointing to his support for carbon-free initiatives, stricter emission standards, and voting rights for convicted felons as examples of his extreme views.
Walz, who has a record of progressive achievements in Minnesota such as protecting abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana, and enacting stricter gun control measures, has faced criticism for his handling of issues such as COVID-19 and the Minneapolis riots in 2020. Critics, including Minnesota GOP Chairman David Hann, argue that Walz’s actions during the riots and his pandemic policies, such as mandating indoor masks and establishing a hotline to report COVID-19 mandate violations, have been controversial. Some have also taken issue with his comments likening socialism to “neighborliness.”
