Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota delivered a powerful and pointed commencement address at the University of Minnesota's law school graduation ceremony, sharply criticizing President Donald Trump and warning of a national emergency marked by a sustained erosion of the rule of law.
Walz, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2024, used his platform to urge the newly minted lawyers to stand as a bulwark against abuses of power, emphasizing their role as the first and last line of defense for democracy and justice.
Addressing a crowd that responded with enthusiastic applause, Walz framed the graduates’ entry into the legal profession as a solemn call to uphold their oath at a time unlike any other in recent history.
He declared that they were "graduating into a genuine emergency," highlighting a period where, he argued, the president of the United States was daily finding new ways to trample on individual rights and undermine foundational legal principles.
Walz’s speech delved into specific examples he viewed as emblematic of what he called the "crumbling of the rule of law."
Among these, he cited President Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, notably the deportation of alleged gang members to a notorious prison in El Salvador, raising concerns about the lack of due process afforded to those targeted.
He also referenced the controversy surrounding the acceptance of a gifted jet from the Qatari ruling family, suggesting such acts blurred the lines of presidential propriety and accountability.
Framing the situation in stark historical terms, Walz warned that what the country was witnessing mirrored the fears of the nation’s founders: a tyrant who abuses power to persecute scapegoats and enemies.
His address carried a sense of urgency, imploring graduates not only to recognize the threats to constitutional governance but also to act decisively as defenders of justice.
This commencement speech came at a time when Democrats were deeply engaged in internal debate over the party’s direction following the loss of former Vice President Kamala Harris to Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Many voters expressed frustration that Democratic leadership had not done enough to counteract the policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration. Against this backdrop, Walz emerged as one of a growing roster of potential 2028 presidential candidates making early moves in key voting states.
Walz’s message resonated with similar critiques voiced by other prominent Democrats. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, for instance, recently condemned what he termed "do-nothing" Democrats who had failed to mount sufficient opposition to Trump.
Pritzker gained national attention earlier in the year when he drew parallels between Trump’s rhetoric and the rise of Nazi Germany during a joint budget and State of the State address, underscoring the growing concern among Democrats about the direction of the nation.
Former President Joe Biden’s transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, recently returned to Iowa, where he held a town hall criticizing the Trump administration’s policies and urged Democrats to clearly communicate their agenda while seeking to engage with dissenting voices.
Similarly, California Governor Gavin Newsom has maintained a high-profile presence through podcasting, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have drawn large crowds at rallies across the country, and Governors Walz and Wes Moore of Maryland planned campaign stops in South Carolina toward the end of May.
In acknowledging the tone and content of his speech, Walz conceded that some might consider his remarks unusually political for a celebratory graduation event.
However, he contended that failing to address the urgent challenges facing the country would dishonor the oath graduates were about to take, receiving further applause and cheers in response.
His words carried the weight of a call to action, urging the next generation of legal professionals to confront head-on the threats to democracy and justice.
Walz did not hold back in his criticism of some Democrats who advocated for the party to concentrate on economic issues, such as trade, where Trump’s popularity appeared weaker.
Instead, Walz argued that the defense of the rule of law must remain paramount, insisting that ignoring these foundational concerns risked ceding ground to authoritarian tendencies.
He challenged his audience to reject complacency and to stand firmly for the principles upon which the United States was founded.
Moreover, Walz directed scathing criticism at major law firms he described as "feckless" and "cowardly" for their failure to adequately resist Trump’s influence.
He accused some of these firms of capitulating in the face of pressure and threats, while simultaneously offering millions of dollars in pro bono work and other benefits that served to undermine their professed commitment to justice.
He labeled such behavior a "flagrant betrayal of the oath they took as lawyers," exhorting the graduates to refuse employment with or collaboration alongside firms that fail to uphold the rule of law and ethical standards.
The call to action embedded in Walz’s speech reflected a broader theme of legal and civic responsibility. He implored graduates to remember that their role as attorneys was not merely to interpret and apply the law but to serve as guardians of justice, equality, and democratic governance.
The legal profession, he argued, is uniquely positioned to challenge abuses of power and to ensure accountability in government.
Throughout his address, Walz’s rhetoric emphasized the gravity of the current political moment. He painted a picture of a nation grappling with a leadership that he characterized as authoritarian and willing to circumvent legal norms for personal or political gain.
This framing sought to mobilize young legal minds to be vigilant and active participants in defending constitutional democracy.
Walz’s speech also served as a reminder of the critical importance of due process, separation of powers, and the rule of law as cornerstones of the American legal and political system.
His critique of Trump’s immigration policies, in particular, underscored concerns about the erosion of these principles under the guise of law enforcement and national security.
The deportation of alleged gang members without adequate due process, for example, raises profound questions about fairness, justice, and human rights.
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His reference to the gifted jet from Qatar further illustrated his broader concern with transparency, conflicts of interest, and the ethical obligations of public officials.
Walz suggested that such acts contribute to the erosion of public trust and represent a dangerous concentration of unchecked power.
The timing of Walz’s remarks, delivered to new law graduates poised to begin their careers, was strategic and symbolic. It signified the expectation that these future legal professionals would be defenders not only of clients but of the constitutional order itself.
The speech was both a warning and an inspiration—a challenge to step into a profession that demands courage, integrity, and resilience in the face of political and societal pressures.
The response from the audience, marked by enthusiastic applause and cheers, indicated a strong resonance with Walz’s message. It reflected a generational call to engage with the legal system not only as practitioners but as advocates for justice and democracy.
Walz’s condemnation of the legal profession’s failures in the face of authoritarian tendencies also highlighted an ongoing debate within the field about the role of lawyers in political and social movements.
His insistence that graduates reject firms complicit in undermining the rule of law aimed to provoke reflection on professional ethics and responsibilities.
His speech joins a growing chorus of Democratic leaders who have publicly challenged President Trump’s approach to governance.
As the party grapples with strategies to regain political ground and restore trust, Walz’s words underscore the urgency felt by many to reassert democratic values and legal norms.
The broader context includes ongoing efforts by Democrats to energize their base, craft effective policy responses, and build coalitions that can withstand the challenges posed by Trump’s political influence.
Walz’s early campaigning in key states reflects a larger pattern of Democratic contenders positioning themselves for future electoral battles.
In this environment, Walz’s law school commencement address stands out as a clear articulation of the stakes involved. It serves as a rallying cry for legal professionals to uphold the law’s highest ideals and resist encroachments that threaten the balance of power and individual liberties.
His remarks also highlight the critical role that lawyers and the judiciary play in maintaining democratic governance. By emphasizing that lawyers are the "first and last line of defense," Walz stresses the unique responsibility borne by the legal community to safeguard rights and freedoms.
The speech’s focus on concrete examples—immigration policy, due process, ethical concerns—grounds his broader critique in real-world issues that affect millions of people. It connects the abstract principles of law and democracy to tangible policies and practices.
Walz’s framing of the current moment as a "genuine emergency" challenges graduates and the public to recognize the severity of threats facing American democracy. It calls for vigilance, active engagement, and unwavering commitment to constitutional values.
In closing, Walz’s commencement speech at the University of Minnesota’s law school was a forceful denunciation of President Trump’s approach to power and governance.
It underscored the importance of the rule of law and the role of legal professionals in defending democracy. His call to action resonated with the graduates and the broader public, highlighting the challenges ahead and the vital role lawyers must play in meeting them.
As the nation continues to navigate political polarization and contestations over democratic norms, speeches like Walz’s serve as reminders of the enduring importance of legal principles and the courage required to uphold them.
For the new generation of lawyers, his message offers both a warning and a charge: to stand firm against abuses of power and to be steadfast champions of justice in turbulent times.
