Governor Tim Walz ordered the Minnesota National Guard to withdraw from Washington, D.C., shortly after a pardoned Laotian convicted of a serious sexual offense had his legal status terminated and was deported. The guard had been deployed to support Fourth of July celebrations and was originally scheduled to remain until July 23.
The deployment began in August as part of a federal initiative to reduce crime in the capital, with guard numbers rising above 5,000 and costing roughly $3 million per day. Under Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Minnesota guard operates under state authority despite federal funding, and Walz emphasized the mission was limited to the holiday events.
Several other Democratic‑governed states—Michigan, Maryland, Hawaii, North Carolina, and Kentucky—also sent personnel to D.C. for the same purpose, reflecting a coordinated regional response.
On July 1, Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson voted to pardon Tou Lue Vang, who had been convicted of first‑degree criminal sexual conduct for abusing a 10‑year‑old girl between 2002 and 2004.
The pardon restored Vang’s freedom but also revoked his legal immigration status, making him subject to removal. The Secretary of State subsequently terminated his status, allowing the deportation to proceed.
Walz said the guard’s recall was prompted by concerns that the personnel were being assigned to duties unrelated to the original holiday mission. The decision was made after a review of the operation’s scope and objectives.
The situation highlights the complex interaction between state pardons and federal immigration enforcement. Walz’s term is set to conclude in 2027, and the events have sparked broader discussion about the coordination between state and federal authorities.
