Tim Walz vows to stand up and fight against Trump and the Republicans

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he will “stand up and fight” Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump’s administration if they come after his state.

The former Democratic vice presidential candidate gave a concession speech in his state on Friday. Walz’s campaign with Vice President Kamala Harris ended in the early hours of Wednesday morning when Trump received enough votes to become the 47th US president. Walz told the audience Friday about his love for America and his willingness to continue making his voice heard.

“As soon as they bring a hateful agenda to this state, I will stand up and fight for the way we do things here,” Walz said. “We’re going to have to fight a little harder…We can do it. We will do it, and we will do it together.”

Walz became Harris’ running mate about two weeks after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race. Walz was considered a loyal government partner and someone who could relate to young men, having served in the Army National Guard, being a gun hunter and a former high school football coach. Harris said she relied on her “gut feeling” when choosing Walz.

The Minnesota governor traveled extensively with and without his running mate throughout the campaign, appearing on Twitch sites and at local establishments. Walz spoke to college students, attended football games and held his own rallies, where he became known for calling Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, the U.S. senator for Ohio, “weird” and that the administration was “on should pay attention to their own problems”. ** Business.”

On Friday, Walz reflected on his journey across the country, saying he realized that “people want security” and “the freedom to live their lives the way they want to live it.”

“There should be a place in our politics where everyone can be heard. I think sometimes we can be quick to judge people who don’t agree with us,” Walz said. “I think we should – and I am – swallow a little bit of pride.”

Walz also recognized the deep emotions many voters have felt in recent days.

“I just want to acknowledge the moment. It is difficult. It’s hard to lose,” Walz said. “It is difficult to understand how so many of our fellow citizens … ultimately chose the other path. If you feel defeated or discouraged today, I understand. Take some time.”

He encouraged people to eventually look into the “millions of ways to get involved in their own communities” and said that when people are ready to go out and fight again, “just know that I’m here with you.” will be.”

“I love this country, I love this state, and I’m not done fighting,” Walz said.

His post-election speech about his pledge to fight is no different than other Democratic governors. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters Wednesday that his team recently held a meeting to “play out” the prospect of a second Trump presidency.

“If it goes against our values, we will fight to the death,” he said. “If there is an opportunity for common ground, we will seize it as quickly as anyone else.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday called on lawmakers to call a special session to bolster the state’s legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.

“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we will not stand idle,” Newsom said in a statement. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has convened a task force called the Empire State Freedom Initiative to “develop strategies to protect New Yorkers from a variety of political and regulatory threats that may emerge under President-elect Trump.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who filed dozens of lawsuits against Trump during his first term as the state’s attorney general, said she expected lawsuits to be filed if Trump pursued his plans for mass deportations.

“There is a lot of pressure on states and state officials and I can assure you that we will work really hard to make this happen. I’m sure we’re going to face litigation,” she said on MSNBC.

“Every tool at our disposal must be used to protect our citizens, our residents and our states, and certainly to uphold the line of democracy.”