The Trump administration has denied Governor Tim Walz’s request to declare sections of the Twin Cities a federal disaster area due to extensive riots following the death of George Floyd, saying “supplemental federal assistance… is not warranted or appropriate.” After the governor made the request July 2nd, Sixth District Republican Congressman Tom Emmer asked FEMA to review actions taken by state and local officials to prevent the destruction. Emmer says, “There needs to be a full accounting. I think we need to understand why certain decisions were made or delayed… why this thing was allowed to burn for not just one night, not just two nights, but three nights — and it just kept going.”
Walz administration officials weren’t immediately available to comment. They have 30 days to appeal the decision.