In May, Minnesota suffered from significant damage after protests and riots following the death of George Floyd.
So, on July 2, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asked that President Donald Trump to declare Minnesota a “major disaster” zone since over 1,500 buildings were damaged and damage from looting and arson totaled over $500 million, according to the Pioneer Press.
In a request to Tump through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Walz asked for federal funding to help rebuild parts of the state, due to the financial crisis the state is in after protests and the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump has since denied the request.
“After a thorough review of Minnesota’s request for a major disaster declaration from extensive fire damage as a result of civil unrest in late May and early June, it was determined that the impact to public infrastructure is within the capabilities of the local and state governments to recover from,” a FEMA spokesperson told Minnesota Public Radio. “The governor has 30 days to appeal that decision.”
A statement from Gov. Walz’s office said, “The governor is disappointed that the federal government declined his request for financial support. As we navigate one of the most difficult periods in our state’s history, we look for support from our federal government to help us through.”
The Pioneer Press reported that just days after the denial of Walz’s request, Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer urged that there was to be a thorough review of the state’s response to the violence and unrest.
According to the Washington Examiner, Emmer wrote a letter to the Trump administration stating, “If the federal government is expected to assist in the cleanup of these unfortunate weeks, it has an obligation to every American — prior to the release of funding — to fully understand the events which allowed for this level of destruction to occur and ensure it never happens again.”