While many Americans spent Memorial Day honoring the men and women who died serving the country, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey drew criticism after using the holiday weekend to post a lengthy tribute to George Floyd instead.
“Today, we remember George Floyd, who was murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer six years ago,” Frey wrote Monday on X. “That moment changed our city forever. It forced Minneapolis to confront painful truths about race, policing, inequity, and trust — and demanded hard conversations and accountability. Since Floyd’s murder, our city has been challenged not just to say we’ve changed, but to prove it.”
The post immediately sparked backlash online, with critics accusing the Democrat mayor of prioritizing political messaging over honoring fallen American service members on a day traditionally reserved for remembering those killed in military service.
For many conservatives, the controversy reflected a broader frustration with Democratic leaders who they believe focus more attention on progressive political causes than on traditional patriotic observances. Frey’s critics pointed out that while he issued an extensive statement about Floyd, he did not publish a similarly detailed Memorial Day tribute recognizing U.S. soldiers who lost their lives defending the country.
The criticism was amplified by reminders of Frey’s highly publicized appearance at Floyd’s funeral in 2020, when the mayor kneeled beside Floyd’s gold casket in an emotional display that quickly became a defining image during the nationwide protests and unrest that followed Floyd’s death.
Supporters of Frey argue that Floyd’s killing had a profound impact on Minneapolis and the country as a whole. Floyd died in May 2020 after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest. The incident sparked months of protests, riots, and national debate over policing and race relations. Chauvin was later convicted of murder and sentenced to prison.
Still, many Americans viewed Memorial Day as the wrong moment for Frey’s remarks. The holiday has long been dedicated to honoring military personnel who died serving the United States, with ceremonies taking place across the country at cemeteries, memorials, and veterans organizations.
Critics also contrasted Frey’s post with messaging coming from the Trump administration and Republican leaders, many of whom spent the day highlighting the sacrifices of American troops. President Donald Trump issued Memorial Day statements honoring fallen service members, while administration social media accounts prominently featured tributes to veterans and military families throughout the weekend.
The controversy also followed another Memorial Day-related backlash aimed at Democrats after the Democratic National Committee reportedly deleted a social media post that critics called tone-deaf and inappropriate for the holiday.