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Jesse Ventura Praises Tim Walz’s Legalization Efforts and Critiques Donald Trump
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura recently expressed his support for current Governor Tim Walz during a conversation with MSNBC’s Rev. Al Sharpton, particularly applauding Walz’s initiative to legalize marijuana in the state. Ventura reflected on his long-standing efforts to advance cannabis legalization, stating, “Twenty-some years ago, I tried to legalize cannabis marijuana. I lit the match.”
Continuing his remarks, Ventura noted, “Well, the match simmered for 20 years and finally became a flame,” sharing an anecdote about a call he received from Walz inviting him to witness the signing of the law that ends marijuana prohibition in Minnesota. He emphasized that he should be present to receive recognition for an idea he pioneered, saying, “Gov. Walz called me and he said, ‘Gov. Ventura, you need to be in my office Monday at 11. I’m going to sign in the law ending the prohibition of marijuana in Minnesota. It was your idea. You’re still alive. You should be there to take credit for this because you’re the one who done it.’”
Ventura concluded his discussion of Walz by commending the governor’s character, stating, “That’s the kind of person Tim Walz is.”
In addition to discussing marijuana legalization, Ventura defended Walz’s service in the military against criticism from Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and other GOP members. Vance has questioned Walz’s decision to retire after 24 years of National Guard service. Ventura responded, “First and foremost, any point after 20 years, you can retire when you want to,” asserting that critiques of Walz overlook the broader issues surrounding the role of the National Guard. He expressed his frustration with the deployment practices of the National Guard, emphasizing, “Their role is to be here in our nation protecting us inside our own country. That’s why they’re called ‘the National Guard.’”
Ventura attributed the misallocation of National Guard resources to decisions made during the presidency of George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. He criticized their actions during the Iraq War, stating, “They couldn’t bring back a draft. It would be political suicide. So what did they do? Bush signed an executive order now sending our National Guard over in the world combat zones. That is ridiculous.”
The conversation also turned to former President Donald Trump, with Sharpton asking Ventura about the changes in Trump since their past friendship. Ventura responded decisively, stating, “He is not the guy that came to me back in ’98 after I won.” He recalled how he had even brought Trump into the Reform Party during a previous presidential run. “Back then he was much more liberal,” Ventura observed.
Continuing his critique of Trump, Ventura described him as self-serving. “You need to understand, Donald Trump is for Donald Trump, and Donald Trump is going to do whatever it is that supports Donald Trump,” Ventura stated, observing the drastic shifts in Trump’s political views over the years. “He obviously saw that he could take over the Republican Party. So he changed his views.” Ventura noted Trump’s transition from a pro-choice stance to one opposing women’s reproductive rights, highlighting what he perceives as a dramatic shift to the far right. He also questioned Trump’s newfound religious assertions, stating, “Well, to me, if you’re going to be a religious person, you have to live it.”
Ventura continued with a poignant observation, stating, “And Donald Trump hardly lives it. I mean, he’s had multiple wives.” He posed a rhetorical question, pondering how the Republican Party would have reacted if former President Barack Obama had exhibited similar personal history, concluding that the response would have been markedly different.
For viewers interested in the complete discussion, an interview with Jesse Ventura is available in the video above.
Source
www.thewrap.com