Let’s delve into a controversial couple making waves in the political landscape—Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, and his wife, Gwen Walz. Critics have labeled them as a "gruesome twosome," and here’s why they’ve been under the spotlight recently.
Tim Walz has faced serious allegations about misrepresenting his military record, a topic that has sparked heated debates. His political career, marked by a left-wing stance, has also attracted scrutiny, but it’s his wife, Gwen Walz, who adds a new dimension to the controversy.
This clip of Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz is making the rounds.
Her reflection on the 2020 riots:
“I could smell the burning tires…I kept the windows open as long as I could because I felt like that was such a touchstone of what was happening."
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) August 6, 2024
Gwen Walz, originally Gwen Whipple, hails from Glencoe, Minnesota. Raised by her parents, Val and Linn, in western Minnesota, Gwen grew up with three sisters. She later attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, where she began her teaching career. It was during her time teaching in Nebraska that she met Tim Walz. The couple tied the knot in 1994 and moved to Mankato, Minnesota, in 1996, where Gwen taught for over two decades.
When Tim Walz was elected as Minnesota's governor in 2018, the family relocated to St. Paul. They have two children, Hope and Gus. According to her official bio, Gwen has a passion for teaching, advocating for criminal justice reform, and supporting the LGBTQ community. Her goals are focused on building what she describes as “a more just and equitable world.”
What might you call this? Bizarre? Abnormal? Peculiar? Eccentric? Offbeat? Quirky? Gotta be a word that describes reveling in the catharsis represented by the torching of other people’s property. https://t.co/E4np2FmvJY
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) August 7, 2024
But here’s where things take a turn. Gwen Walz’s critics point to her involvement and comments during the tumultuous events of 2020, when Minnesota experienced significant unrest. Riots and protests rocked the state, with parts of cities left in ruins. It was during this period that Gwen Walz made a statement that has since drawn much attention. She mentioned that she kept her windows open to "smell the burning tires," describing it as a “touchstone” of the events unfolding around her. For many, this statement came across as a troubling reaction to the chaos that was tearing through Minnesota at the time.
Keeping your windows open to smell the burning tires of rioters as a show of solidarity is the whitest thing I've ever heard. It gets no whiter than this. https://t.co/QxWHIM9xge
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) August 6, 2024
Critics argue that Gwen’s stance reflects a disturbing comfort with the violence and unrest that plagued the state. They believe her actions and words show an endorsement of the extreme left-wing movements that were involved in these events. Her advocacy for criminal justice reform, while noble in intent, has also been criticized, with opponents accusing her of being overly lenient towards repeat offenders.
Tim Walz’s wife says convicted criminals should get “as many chances as they need.”
“[That] doesn't really please those 'law and order’ people."
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 6, 2024
Together, Tim and Gwen Walz have become a lightning rod for controversy, with detractors viewing their partnership as a "marriage made in heaven" for their political ambitions but a "total nightmare" for those who disagree with their methods and views.