Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Calls on Democrats to Address Americans' Anger and Take Action Against Trump’s Agenda

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made a forceful statement on Friday during a visit to Iowa, calling on Democratic leaders to answer the “primal scream” from Americans who are demanding that elected officials do more to counter President Donald Trump’s aggressive and norm-defying agenda. Walz emphasized that it is the responsibility of elected officials to listen to the anger and frustrations of the public, which is increasingly focused on pushing back against the direction the country is heading under Trump’s leadership.

In a passionate interview on MSNBC’s “All In” with Chris Hayes, Walz made it clear that Democrats need to take action and respond to the urgent calls from Americans. “Look, I own this. We wouldn’t be in this mess if we had won the election, and we didn’t,” he said, taking responsibility for the challenges the Democratic Party faces after the loss in the 2020 presidential election.

Walz’s comments were marked by a rare moment of self-reflection, acknowledging that the party’s failure to win the election had led to the current state of chaos in American politics.

Walz’s criticism of President Trump was pointed and unambiguous. He described Trump as “the worst possible business executive that I have ever witnessed” and praised the Wall Street Journal editorial board for labeling Trump’s tariffs as “the dumbest trade war in history.”

The Minnesota governor expressed his belief that many Americans share these sentiments and are deeply dissatisfied with the direction Trump’s policies have taken the country, especially in terms of economic strategy.

“The American people have had it,” Walz said, referring to the public’s growing frustration with Trump’s policies. He argued that Trump’s rhetoric about imposing pain on ordinary Americans, especially in the context of tariffs and trade wars, has only deepened the divide between the wealthy elite and the working class.

Walz stressed that Democrats must not only criticize Trump but also offer a better, more comprehensive solution to the issues facing the country.

“We have to make sure that Americans know it’s not just that Donald Trump is bad, but we’re offering them something better, and I think that’s what we need to work on,” Walz added. His remarks come at a time when the Democratic Party’s approval ratings have reached record lows, and many Democrats are concerned about their ability to provide a strong alternative to Trump’s leadership.

Walz’s town hall visit to Des Moines, Iowa, drew more than 1,500 attendees and marked his first stop in a tour of swing districts across the country, particularly targeting areas where vulnerable Republicans are not holding public town halls. The event was held at Roosevelt High School in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, a key battleground area that has seen growing dissatisfaction with Republican representation.

The governor’s visit is part of a broader strategy to engage with voters directly and provide a platform for their concerns.

“A town hall is not a performative event,” Walz said to the crowd. “It’s an expression of the people’s right to petition their government.” His statement stands in contrast to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s advice to frontline Republicans, urging them to avoid holding public town halls due to the rising anger and protests against their policies.

Walz’s visit comes as several Republicans, including U.S. Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa’s 3rd District, have chosen not to hold public forums, instead opting for private “listening sessions” that limit direct interaction with voters.

Walz’s decision to hold public town halls is part of a broader strategy by national Democrats to seize on the dissatisfaction with Republicans and turn town halls into a political issue ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrats have announced plans to hold “people’s town halls” in competitive congressional districts, focusing on ensuring that Americans’ voices are heard, regardless of where they live or how they voted in the last election.

Walz’s town hall in Iowa’s 3rd District is one of many that Democrats hope will galvanize their base and draw attention to the differences between their approach and that of the Republicans.

At the town hall in Des Moines, Walz encouraged participants to voice their frustrations. He invited attendees to raise their hands and shout out what they wanted their elected officials to know.

Several responses included passionate demands like “fight back” and “be more aggressive,” reflecting the sense of urgency felt by many Americans who believe that Democrats have not done enough to resist Trump’s policies.

The Democratic Party has faced criticism for its lack of cohesion and a clear resistance to Trump’s agenda. Some Democrats feel frustrated with what they perceive as weak, performative opposition, such as the small signs held by Democratic members of Congress during Trump’s recent joint address.

Walz acknowledged these frustrations, pointing out that while Democrats have made efforts, they have failed to effectively communicate their position and take bold action.

“I hear them,” Walz said in an interview with the Des Moines Register. “I don’t think we have the answer to it yet, but I think if you’re a Democratic elected official, you better be out listening to them, because this is growing. And it’s growing amongst independents, and it gives us an opportunity to try and bring those folks in and tell them why it matters for them to vote, and they should vote with us, because these are the policies you’ll get.”

Walz continued, stating that Democrats should take a page from the Republicans’ playbook and learn to be more aggressive in pushing their agenda. He praised Republicans for their ability to move quickly and implement their policies, noting that Democrats must do the same if they want to maintain the support of the American people.

“We’re certainly going to follow the law,” Walz said. “But we have got to move with more speed to impact people’s lives.”

Walz’s comments underscore his belief that the Democratic Party has been too cautious and risk-averse in its approach to policy. He encouraged the audience to recognize that their anger and frustration with the status quo are justified, adding that the road to authoritarianism is often paved by people who dismiss those voices as overreacting.

“The road to authoritarianism is littered with people telling you you’re overreacting,” Walz said. “You’re not.”

In Iowa, Walz’s appearance has sparked speculation about his future political ambitions, despite national Democrats stripping the state of its first-in-the-nation status ahead of the 2024 election cycle. Walz denied that his visit to Iowa was an attempt to test the waters for a 2028 presidential run. “I was in Helena, Montana, last week,” he said. “Not usually a stop on a presidential campaign.”

While Walz made it clear that he is not currently planning a presidential run, he did emphasize the importance of reaching out to voters in every state, not just the battleground states that dominate national campaigns. He argued that Iowa’s move toward the Republican Party is a result of Democrats neglecting the state and failing to show up for its caucuses and meet the needs of its voters.

Walz suggested that if it were up to him, he would rotate which states hold first-in-the-nation caucuses or primaries to ensure every state is treated as important.

“I think it’s very disheartening for people,” Walz said. “I was on a national campaign, and I was in seven states. That doesn’t seem like that’s the way it should be.”

Republicans, however, criticized Walz’s visit, calling it a “manufactured production” designed to distract voters from the failures of the Democratic Party. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Iowa’s 4th District, blasted Walz’s appearance, accusing him of spreading lies about Republicans and criticizing the state’s policies.

Iowa’s Republican Governor Kim Reynolds also took aim at Walz, posting a comparison of the state’s policies on taxes and COVID-era enforcement, claiming that Walz could learn a thing or two from Iowa’s leadership.

Despite the criticism from Republicans, Walz remains steadfast in his belief that Democrats need to take bold action and respond to the growing demands of the American people. His visit to Iowa and his call for more aggressive opposition to Trump’s policies signal that he is ready to lead the charge for a more progressive and action-oriented Democratic Party.