Trump Draws Line in The Sand, Denies Riot Bailout Request from Minnesota

U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) is applauding efforts by the Trump Administration to strike down requests from the state of Minnesota to federally fund the repairs to damages done by rioters and looters in the wake of the George Floyd killing. At least one Minneapolis police precinct was allowed to be taken over and destroyed as well. Duncan tweeted:

“Great news! @realDonaldTrump has DENIED Minnesota’s disaster request to repair half a billion dollars in damage from the riots. Governors and Mayors who ordered police to stand down and watch their cities burn shouldn’t get a penny in taxpayer aid!” See tweet:

Great news! @realDonaldTrump has DENIED Minnesota's disaster request to repair half a billion dollars in damage from the riots. Governors and Mayors who ordered police to stand down and watch their cities burn shouldn't get a penny in taxpayer aid! https://t.co/8WAgm7AFa7

— Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) July 11, 2020

Tim Walz, the Democrat Governor of Minnesota is “disappointed” according to his spokesman Teddy Tschann. TwinCities.com reported:

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Walz’s spokesman Teddy Tschann confirmed that the request for federal aid was denied, saying the governor is “disappointed.”

Walz had asked President Donald Trump on July 2 to declare a “major disaster” in a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency because of extensive damage to public infrastructure following the death of Floyd on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against the handcuffed Black man’s neck for nearly eight minutes. Four since-fired officers have been charged in the case.

A preliminary assessment of damage found more than $15 million of damages directly related to the fires. Around 1,500 businesses were damaged. Among the public structures destroyed was a Minneapolis police station that was a focus of the protests.

It’s somewhat surprising that Democrats are shocked that President Trump wouldn’t want to use federal taxpayer dollars to fund Democrat ran cities and states who failed to curb violence, rioting, and looting. It won’t be surprising, however, if Democrats in power such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) try to blame President Trump for the lack of funds as opposed to blaming the cities and states who failed to protect their citizens, but that is merely speculation.