A stunning demand for resignation has erupted from within the highest ranks of Minnesota’s congressional delegation. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a leading Republican voice, is calling for Governor Tim Walz to step down immediately, citing escalating unrest in Minneapolis.
The crisis stems from ongoing demonstrations sparked by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent earlier this month. The city is now a focal point of intense clashes between protesters and federal law enforcement, with no clear end in sight.
Emmer condemned the scenes of destruction unfolding in Minneapolis as “abhorrent,” asserting that the violence is intolerable and directly attributable to the governor’s leadership. He believes Walz’s policies have created an environment where such unrest can flourish, jeopardizing the safety of all Minnesotans.
The circumstances surrounding Good’s death are fiercely contested. Republicans maintain the ICE agent acted in self-defense after Good allegedly attempted to strike him with her vehicle following efforts to impede ICE operations. The incident occurred after a day of obstruction, according to reports.
However, Democrats paint a drastically different picture, accusing the agent of reckless behavior. They point to video footage suggesting Good was complying with officers’ instructions to leave the area when she was shot three times while still inside her car. The conflicting accounts have deepened the partisan divide.
Adding fuel to the fire, another ICE agent reportedly shot an individual in the leg during an arrest attempt on Wednesday. This second incident further inflamed tensions and galvanized protesters to return to the streets.
Demonstrations have been marked by a cacophony of noise, with activists utilizing horns and whistles to amplify their message. In response, federal officers have deployed tear gas and pepper balls in attempts to disperse the crowds, creating a volatile and dangerous atmosphere.
Emmer sharply criticized Walz’s response to the escalating crisis, accusing him of inaction and even support for the “violent riots.” He argues the governor’s “sanctuary-state policies” are directly responsible for the current situation and have failed to protect both citizens and law enforcement.
During a recent address, Governor Walz directly accused the federal government of deliberately targeting Minnesota. He claimed the Trump administration is intentionally escalating the conflict, framing it as retribution for the state’s voting history and its commitment to freedom.
Walz quoted a statement from the former president, warning that “the day of retribution and reckoning is coming,” which he characterized as a direct threat against the people of Minnesota for repeatedly voting against him. The governor’s words underscore the deeply polarized nature of the conflict and the high stakes involved.
