Trump says he got a ‘very nice call’ from Walz

KSTP
Several hundred protesters gather outside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' official residence Friday, April 17, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn., to call on him to loosen stay-at-home restrictions imposed across the state because of the coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.[AP Photo/Jim Mone]

Just three days after seemingly encouraging Minnesotans to defy the state’s ‘stay at home’ order, President Donald Trump said he and his staff are working to help Gov. Tim Walz.

Monday morning, Trump tweeted, "Received a very nice call from @GovTimWalz of Minnesota. We are working closely on getting him all he needs, and fast. Good things happening!"

On Friday, as protesters rallied outside the Governor’s Residence, Trump tweeted, "LIBERATE MINNESOTA!"

Walz said Friday afternoon that he’d tried to call Trump directly to talk about his tweet and the pandemic but didn’t get to talk to him.

Republicans, both locally and nationally, have pushed for coronavirus-related restrictions to be lifted so businesses and employees can get back to work. However, Walz and health officials have warned that reopening things too soon would only worsen the problem, with the governor adding that he’s listening to the advice of state health officials.

Last week, Trump proposed a phased plan to reopen the economy but said each state would make its own decisions on how quickly to reopen businesses.

It’s unclear exactly what Trump is working to get the state, but Walz has previously voiced frustration with the state’s difficulties getting personal protective equipment and testing supplies from the federal government. However, Walz has been measured in his criticism of Trump.

Walz is scheduled to hold a news conference Monday afternoon with Ecolab CEO Doug Baker to discuss the role of public-private partnerships in Minnesota’s fight against COVID-19. St. Paul-based Ecolab is a major producer of sanitation products. Administration officials are also expected to discuss the outbreak of COVID-19 at the JBS pork plant in Worthington.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.