Walz Criticizes Trump, Seeks GOP Budget Support in Address

In his seventh State of the State address, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized former President Donald Trump, drawing a sharp contrast between what he described as responsible state leadership and 'chaos' at the federal level. Walz condemned Trump's tariffs, immigration policies, and the dismantling of federal services, attributing current national challenges to what he called intentional mismanagement. He also addressed the state's difficult fiscal outlook, defending proposed cuts to human services and education while emphasizing that Minnesota will remain generous in its social programs. Walz called for bipartisan cooperation in passing a $66 billion budget with $5.5 billion in cuts, aiming to preserve new programs like paid family and medical leave. His speech placed him in the national spotlight among Democrats, fueling speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. Republican leaders remain skeptical of Walz's approach to budget cuts, particularly regarding reimbursements for disability services.