By Phillip C. Parrish, LCDR, USN (Ret.), Candidate for Minnesota Governor 2026
Fellow Minnesotans,
As a retired Navy intelligence officer with 21 years of service in counterterrorism and foreign policy, I’ve dedicated my life to exposing threats—both foreign and domestic. Today, I’m calling out one right here at home: Governor Tim Walz and his administration’s relentless pattern of deception, hypocrisy, and betrayal of public trust. His latest executive order on vaccine access, issued on September 8, 2025, is nothing more than political theater designed to rally his base against the Trump administration while ignoring his own checkered history on health freedoms, fraud, and accountability. This order claims to “safeguard” vaccines in Minnesota amid federal changes under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but let’s be clear: it’s a strawman argument exaggerating restrictions that only target low-risk groups, not banning access outright.
Walz preaches “science and freedom” now, but where was that during COVID when he mandated vaccines or testing for state employees, trampling on personal choice? This is the same governor who set up a “snitch hotline” for stay-at-home violations, demonizing neighbors for questioning his edicts. His order creates false urgency, implying Minnesotans are suddenly barred from vaccines, despite no statewide shortages and existing state laws allowing providers to administer them. Similar symbolic gestures in states like New York and California show this is about resisting RFK Jr.’s policies, not practical needs—especially with COVID cases low in 2025.
This isn’t necessary policy; it’s theater to distract from Walz’s failures. Federal updates under Kennedy prioritize high-risk individuals (65+ or with conditions) based on data showing limited benefits for others, yet Walz frames it as an attack on “preventative care.” He appeals to “science” without addressing that evidence, just like he ignored fraud warnings in his own programs. Minnesotans deserve better than this flip-flopping: mandates when it suits him, “freedom” when it scores political points.
But this order is just the latest in a long line of trust violations. Let’s substantiate how Walz has repeatedly betrayed us:
1. Massive Fraud Scandals Under His Watch: Walz’s administration has presided over billions in waste and theft. The Feeding Our Future scheme alone saw $250 million stolen from child nutrition programs during COVID—funds meant for hungry kids diverted by fraudsters. His Department of Education was warned early but dragged its feet, leading to FBI raids and convictions. Then there’s the $1 billion+ in potential Medicaid fraud uncovered in July 2025, including housing providers. Walz’s response? Executive orders after the fact, like his January 2025 fraud unit—too little, too late. Critics, including Minnesota’s legislative auditor, question if he’s taking accountability seriously, with agencies ignoring recommendations amid rampant abuse.
2. Mishandling the 2020 Riots: When Minneapolis burned after George Floyd’s death, Walz delayed deploying the National Guard for days, despite pleas from Mayor Jacob Frey. The result? Over $500 million in damages, businesses destroyed, and lives upended. His hesitation fueled chaos, yet he now stirs division by speculating on pardons for Derek Chauvin to provoke unrest ahead of anniversaries.
3. Questionable Ties and Stolen Valor: Allegations from former National Guard colleagues suggest Walz may have mishandled classified materials, with a nuclear manual going missing during his tenure. His trips to China and praise for Maoist principles raise red flags about foreign influence. And let’s not forget his exaggerated military service claims—retiring before deployment to Iraq, yet implying combat experience.
4. Radical Policies Over Public Needs: Walz’s “trans refuge” laws and taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care (costs up 500% since 2019) divert resources from critical areas like disability waivers, cut by $364 million in his 2025 budget. Nursing homes close, mental health beds vanish, and wait times for life-saving care grow—all while he prioritizes fringe agendas lacking broad support (only 56% back trans protections in polls).
5. Personal Scandals and Deception: From his 1995 DUI to lying about “little things” that reveal bigger untruths, Walz’s pattern erodes trust. His “grotesque rhetoric,” like mocking Trump supporters and suggesting flag-burning, insults half of Minnesota.
These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re a systemic betrayal. Walz demonizes dissenters—calling questions “misinformation”—while his policies enrich insiders and fail families. If we want to rebuild trust in our policies and agencies, we must demand leaders who encourage questions, not stifle them. Expose hypocrisy, deception, and conflicts of interest without fear of being labeled “weird” or worse by those meant to serve us.
Minnesotans, it’s time to rise up. Demand Walz stop this theater and address real issues. Contact your legislators, attend town halls, and vote for accountability in 2026. Together, we can restore Minnesota’s integrity—starting by allowing open dialogue and holding leaders like Walz responsible. Our state deserves leaders who work for us, not against us.
For Minnesota First,
Phillip C. Parrish
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