Walz Urges Law Grads to Defend Rule of Law

Walz Urges Law Grads to Defend Rule of Law \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Minnesota Governor and former VP nominee Tim Walz criticized President Trump during a University of Minnesota law school commencement speech. Walz warned graduates they were entering a legal emergency and urged them to confront abuses of power. His remarks echoed growing Democratic calls to resist Trump’s second-term agenda.

Quick Looks

• Gov. Tim Walz warns law grads of “genuine emergency.”
• Slams Trump for daily attacks on rule of law.
• Criticizes deportations without due process and foreign gifts to Trump.
• Commencement speech draws loud applause, some controversy.
• Urges graduates to reject law firms enabling Trump’s policies.
• Accuses top firms of violating their legal oath.
• White House responds by invoking 2020 George Floyd protests.
• Democrats still debating post-Harris direction after 2024 loss.
• Walz joins growing list of 2028 presidential hopefuls.
• Pritzker, Buttigieg, Newsom, and others also making political moves.

Deep Look

In a strikingly political commencement address on Saturday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a stern warning to graduating law students about what he called an escalating legal and constitutional crisis under President Donald Trump. Speaking to a packed auditorium at the University of Minnesota Law School, Walz—who served as Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election—declared that new lawyers must prepare to be the “first and last line of defense” against unchecked presidential power.

“You are graduating into a genuine emergency,” Walz said, as the crowd responded with enthusiastic applause. “Every single day, the president of the United States finds new ways to trample rights and undermine the rule of law.”

His speech, which quickly circulated on social media and political channels, was one of the most direct and unapologetic critiques of Trump delivered by a high-profile Democrat in recent months. It underscores the party’s growing anxiety about Trump’s second term and the direction of American governance.

Highlighting Constitutional Erosion and Abuses of Power

During the ceremony, Walz pointed to what he described as repeated violations of democratic norms by the Trump administration. Among the examples he cited:

• The deportation of alleged gang members to a notorious El Salvador prison without due process.
• Foreign influence concerns, including Trump allegedly accepting a private jet from the Qatari royal family.
• The administration’s growing disregard for judicial independence and the use of federal agencies to target political enemies.

“This is what the crumbling of the rule of law looks like in real time,” Walz told graduates. “It’s exactly what the founders of this nation feared: A tyrant, abusing power to persecute scapegoats and enemies.”

Calling Out Complicit Law Firms

In one of the most controversial parts of his speech, Walz called out major law firms he accused of aiding or enabling the Trump administration’s agenda. He criticized them for offering millions in pro bono legal services, policy defense, and other support that helped shield controversial executive actions from legal consequences.

“It’s a flagrant betrayal of the oath they took as lawyers,” Walz said, encouraging graduates to refuse to work for firms that defended Trump’s legal overreach.

He characterized such firms as “feckless” and “cowardly,” drawing further applause from the audience.

Walz’s Remarks Reflect Larger Democratic Debate

Walz’s speech comes as the Democratic Party continues to regroup following Harris and Walz’s defeat in the 2024 presidential race. The loss has triggered internal debates about strategy, messaging, and whether Democrats have done enough to hold Trump accountable.

Many in the party are now looking ahead to 2028, with several prominent Democrats already making moves in early primary states:

• Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who recently slammed “do-nothing Democrats,” will headline a Minnesota Democratic dinner next month.
• Pete Buttigieg, transportation secretary under President Biden, held a town hall in Iowa calling for Democrats to reach across ideological lines.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a high-profile podcast platform.
• Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continue to draw massive crowds at national rallies.
• Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland and Walz are both scheduled for campaign-style stops in South Carolina later this month.

Commencement Speech Sparks Applause—and Some Criticism

While many in the audience embraced Walz’s message, some questioned whether the graduation ceremony was the appropriate venue for such direct political commentary. Walz anticipated the criticism.

“Some would say, ‘Boy, this is getting way too political for a commencement address,’” he acknowledged. “But I would argue: I wouldn’t be honoring my oath if I didn’t address this head on.”

That line prompted another round of applause, reinforcing Walz’s growing reputation as a frank, unapologetic voice in Democratic politics.

White House Fires Back

The Trump administration wasted no time in responding. A spokesperson revived criticisms from the 2024 campaign, pointing to Walz’s record during the George Floyd protests in 2020, which saw widespread demonstrations and civil unrest in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“Governor Walz presided over a state in chaos,” said Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson. “Let’s not forget he also ran on a ticket with Kamala Harris, who presided over one of the most chaotic administrations in American history.”

The administration has used Walz’s tenure in Minnesota as a frequent line of attack, particularly around his handling of public safety and policing reform during his first term.

What It Means for 2028 and Beyond

Walz’s speech is likely to elevate his national profile at a time when the Democratic bench is actively forming. While no one has officially declared a 2028 candidacy, the list of potential contenders is growing.

His law-focused message may resonate with progressives and institutionalists alike—especially in a political era where constitutional law, judicial integrity, and executive accountability are once again at the center of public discourse.

Whether it was a political rally in disguise or a genuine call to civic duty, Walz’s remarks mark a sharp shift in tone for Democrats and reinforce the urgency many feel about the future of American democracy under Trump’s leadership.

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