Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivers his state of the state address before a joint session of the Legislature at the state Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)
Walz appeared to indirectly reference the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia – an illegal immigrant and suspected member of MS-13, which the administration newly designated a foreign terrorist organization. The administration admitted to mistakenly deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, though Trump and federal officials have doubled down on Abrego Garcia's alleged ties to the violent Mexican gang, as well as a domestic violence case involving his wife claiming he beat her.
Abrego Garcia was initially suspected of human smuggling during a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop but was not charged. Democrats, categorizing Abrego Garcia as a "Maryland father," meanwhile, have traveled to El Salvador to visit him while urging the administration to comply with Supreme Court and other court orders instructing that he be returned to the U.S.
Abrego Garcia was initially held at the El Salvadoran megaprison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), but he has since been transferred to the lower security Centro Industrial Penitentiary facility in Santa Ana, El Salvador. The State Department said in court filings he remains held there "in good conditions and in an excellent state of health."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz acknowledges the applause of the House chamber before he delivers his state of the state address before a joint session of the Legislature at the state Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP)
"I can't help but point out that we also gather at a moment of great uncertainty for our nation. And let's be honest, this uncertainty, this chaos is no accident," Waltz said. "The President of the United States has chosen, chosen to destroy the federal government's ability to help people. He literally hired the richest man in the world to take a chainsaw to the basic services that Minnesotans rely on to build better lives. His plan leaves nobody there working to prevent the next pandemic, nobody to pick up the phone at the Social Security office, nobody making sure kids with special needs get the quality education they deserve."
Kamala Harris’ former running mate also slammed Trump over his reciprocal tariffs policies, alleging the Republican president is out of touch with working-class Americans.
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"And on an hour by hour, day by day basis, the President of the United States has chosen, chosen to throw our economy into turmoil," Walz said. "Global markets are teetering on the brink of collapse. Businesses across this country and here in Minnesota are already laying off employees by the thousands. Working people are paying more for basic goods, and if you haven't checked your 401k lately, don't do it. So let's be very clear. None of this had to happen. When the president took office three months ago, there was no reason to throw a wrench in the works and destroy decades of work. But if you listen to anything that comes out of his mouth, one thing has become clear. He's just plain confused about how the world really works for working people."
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tim-walz-takes-aim-trumps-deportation-policies-say-university-students-being-shoved-unmarked-vans