DELANO, Minn. – A long-time hardball player in Minnesota partisan politics, Tom Emmer, had a role in the state being turned down for federal assistance to repair and rebuild riot-ravaged public facilities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. After Gov. Tom Walz, a Democrat, asked for $15 million in disaster relief, Emmer, a Republican, sent a letter to President Trump and the FEMA disaster relief agency. The letter raised doubts about the request. Emmer recommended “a thorough and concurrent review” of the state’s response to the violence. The government, Emmer said, “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.” Thus Emmer linked the Walz request to Trump’s outspoken criticism of the governor as going too light on protesters in the street riots. How pivotal was Emmer in Walz losing the request for disaster relief? Unclear. Was Emmer’s letter self-initiated? Also unclear. Was Emmer’s letter requested by Trump and his people, who have been unfriendly to Walz? Also unclear. Emmer has represented the heavily Republican Minnesota 6th Congressional District that spans from St, Cloud to the northern Minneapolis suburbs. In Congress he has been a staunch Trump supporter.
Details: Walz may seek repair funds again
EMMER: A failed 2010 gubernatorial bid