Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) compared President Trump’s immigration enforcement officials to the Gestapo during a recent commencement address at the University of Minnesota’s law school.
“Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets. They’re in unmarked vans, wearing masks, being shipped off to foreign torture dungeons,” Walz claimed. “No chance to mount a defense, not even a chance to kiss a loved one goodbye, just grabbed up by masked agents, shoved into those vans, and disappeared. To be clear, there’s no way for us to know whether they were actually criminals or not because they refuse to give them a trial. We’re supposed to just take their word for it.”
The Department of Homeland Security condemned the statement, calling it “absolutely sickening.”
“It is absolutely sickening to compare ICE law enforcement agents to the Gestapo,” DHS said. “Attacks and demonization of ICE and our partners is wrong. ICE officers are now facing a 413% increase in assaults. Our message is clear: DO NOT come to this country illegally. If you do, we will arrest you, deport you and you will never return.”
Walz said earlier this year that he may consider a 2028 presidential run.
Speaking with The New Yorker about a possible run for office, Walz stated, “Well, I had a friend tell me, ‘Never turn down a job you haven’t been offered.’ If I think I could offer something . . . I would certainly consider that. I’m also, though, not arrogant enough to believe there’s a lot of people that can do this.”
He explained that if he has the appropriate “skill set” for 2028, he would “do it.” Walz further explained that he would do “whatever it takes. I certainly wouldn’t be arrogant enough to think that it needs to be me.”
