Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reportedly declined interview requests from The New York Times regarding recent criticisms of his response to the George Floyd riots in 2020.

Walz, who has been governor since 2019, is accused of not acting swiftly enough as rioters burned and looted businesses for several days before he deployed the National Guard. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, over 1,500 businesses and buildings were destroyed, with property damage estimated at $500 million, reports Fox News.

Let's meet vice presidential nominee Tim Walz:

1995 DUI Arrest – Walz claims he was not drunk and blamed a misunderstanding with police on his deafness, despite actually doing 96 mph in a 55-mph and blowing a .128 BAC

BLM Riots – Waited three days to call in the National Guard… pic.twitter.com/e70v72Qp7i

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) August 6, 2024

These criticisms have resurfaced following his selection as Vice President Harris’ running mate earlier this month.

The New York Times published two reports highlighting the renewed scrutiny of Walz’s actions, and the outlet attempted to interview him for both pieces. However, Walz declined the interview requests before the stories were published on August 14 and August 6.

OMG. 3 Minneapolis police officers testified after the BLM riots that Gov. Tim Walz told law enforcement to "give it up" when the city was burning to the ground.

Tim Walz wanted his own city to burn and fall into chaos.pic.twitter.com/CGvZ8Rz0Ui

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 12, 2024

“A series of official reports about that week found failures at all levels of government, including some on the governor’s part. Mr. Walz has said little recently about his response, and he declined to be interviewed for this article,” the Times wrote in its August 14 story titled, “Walz Faces New Scrutiny Over 2020 Riots: Was He Too Slow to Send Troops?”

Walz also declined to be interviewed for the Times’ August 6 article, published the same day Harris announced him as her running mate.

Instead, Teddy Tschann, a spokesperson for the governor, issued a statement to the Times, calling the Floyd riots “a tragic time for our state and our country” and asserting that “Governor Walz took action and deployed the National Guard to keep our city safe.”

Last year Tim Walz signed an executive order that made Minnesota a sanctuary state for child gender abuse. He invited families like this one who are transitioning their 6 year-olds. He's incredibly evil, which makes him a perfect fit for Kamala's VP. pic.twitter.com/xwkZ48P3kG

— Expose Them (@ExposeDarkDeeds) August 6, 2024

For the August 14 story, Tschann added, “Governor Walz took action and deployed the National Guard to keep our city safe — Donald Trump did not.”

At a recent news conference, when asked if he would have changed his response, Walz stated, “I simply believe that we try to do the best we can,” according to the Times’ August 14 report.