Minnesota preps National Guard ahead of trials for cops in George Floyd death

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is prepping for the possibility of widespread civil unrest amid the upcoming trials of four former Minneapolis cops charged in George Floyd’s police-custody death.

Walz issued an executive order Friday authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to deploy troops in Minneapolis, St. Paul and other communities to “keep the peace, ensure public safety and allow for peaceful demonstrations” during the trials of the since-fired officers.

The second-degree murder and manslaughter trial of Derek Chauvin — the white Minneapolis officer seen pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck for...