Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Newsmax on Monday the civil unrest and "chaos" seen in Minneapolis traces back to decisions made under Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during the 2020 George Floyd riots.
Further, Burgum argues that hostility toward law enforcement and "sanctuary city" policies laid the groundwork for ongoing disorder on the streets of the Twin Cities.
In an appearance on Ed Henry's inaugural show, "The Big Take," Burgum said it defies common sense for state leaders to push back against federal authorities enforcing the law.
"Well, it's incomprehensible to me. The last thing I could think of as a governor would be to tell the federal law enforcement, who were enforcing the federal law, to get out of the state," said Burgum, former two-term governor of North Dakota.
Instead, "you'd be saying 'thank you' to them every day," he added.
Walz has repeatedly pushed back against Trump and federal law enforcement, denouncing ICE operations, likening agents to the "Gestapo," and using inflammatory rhetoric that the administration has said encourages protests, hostility toward officers, and resistance to immigration enforcement.
Burgum pointed directly to Walz's "failed" leadership during the unrest that followed Floyd's death in 2020, arguing that the breakdown in public order began then.
"But, of course, you know, this started under Tim Walz before, you know, back in the 'Summer of Love,' when they essentially were defunding the police," he said.
He also took aim at "sanctuary city" policies, saying they embolden criminals while undermining law enforcement.
"And the word sanctuary city is, is basically a lie," Burgum said. "It's a sanctuary for criminals is what it is. So any place that calls itself a sanctuary and then and then wants to protest people enforcing the law, you know, this is what you're going to get is chaos."
According to Burgum, Minneapolis is experiencing a repeat of past failures rather than an isolated episode.
"They've had it before. They've got it again," he said. "And you don't have it in any other city like this. And so, you know, look at the examples and why it's happening here."
GET TODAY NEWSMAX :
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.