Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is finding himself on the hot seat during a press conference where he was asked if he would apologize to Republicans for recent comments he made to supporters.
The Walz remarks were secretly recorded. It happened while the governor spoke to members of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
“You know I see the pundits on TV, what’s wrong with the Democratic Party? What’s wrong is our country’s being stole by fascists and Nazis and we’re trying to do all we can," Walz said.
At the time, the group applauded his comments but Republicans are not happy about them. Republican leaders released the audio and Minnesota Senate Leader Mark Johnson (R- East Grand Forks) says Walz needs to apologize. State Sen. Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) called them reckless.
"His comments regarding Republicans as Nazis and fascists who are stealing our country is a reference to Republicans winning elections, and this is just outrageous," Johnson said.
During a news conference Thursday, a reporter asked the Governor if he would apologize.
“Apologize to them?" asked Walz when asked the question. He went on to say he wasn't referring to the Republican Party, or the Trump administration, with his comments. Instead, he focused on some current events by people he describes as Nazis and fascists, including a demonstration in Lincoln Heights, Ohio.
"Look, we have folks marching in the streets, we have a woman in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho pulled out by a militia," Walz explained. "I'm talking to a group of supporters and saying what's going on in our country right now is, we have people who are openly Nazis and fascists trying to take our country, and we need to push back."
Walz has also gone on record saying a gesture made by Trump advisor Elon Musk in January was a "Nazi salute," something Musk denies.