Jesse Ventura Calls Trump a “Draft-Dodging Coward,” Hints at Possible Run for Minnesota Governor

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura sharply criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a “draft-dodging coward,” and suggested he may consider running again for governor as immigration enforcement actions intensify in Minneapolis.

Ventura, who served as Minnesota’s governor from 1999 to 2003, made the comments during a visit to his alma mater, Roosevelt High School, on Thursday. A Vietnam veteran and former Navy SEAL, Ventura contrasted his own military service with Trump’s medical exemption from the Vietnam War draft due to bone spurs.

“He’s the draft-dodging coward who, when it was his time to serve his country, did what all rich white boys did,” Ventura told local outlet Fox 9. “I wasn’t a rich white boy. We had to go. He’s going to tell me what courage is?”

Ventura’s remarks come amid heightened immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis by Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, which has described the operation as the largest of its kind to date.

Tensions escalated this week after 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has characterized the shooting as an act of self-defense. On the same day, video reportedly showed a federal agent deploying a chemical irritant on a crowd near Roosevelt High School.

According to DHS, Border Patrol agents were pursuing a U.S. citizen who they said was attempting to interfere with enforcement operations when he drove into a school zone. The agency said a crowd formed after a person identifying himself as a teacher allegedly assaulted an agent during the arrest. DHS stated that officers used targeted crowd-control measures and denied deploying tear gas.

Ventura visited the school to show support for students and staff.

“As a graduate of Roosevelt High School and as the former governor of Minnesota, I’m proud of how they stood up for what is supposed to be America and freedom,” Ventura said. “Freedom is not arresting people without warrants. We have a Constitution, and we have a party—the Republicans—that don’t seem to want to abide by it.”

Ventura also hinted at a possible political comeback. Minnesota’s next gubernatorial election will be held in November, and current Gov. Tim Walz has announced he will not seek reelection.

“You know what? Maybe it’s time for Jesse,” Ventura said. “I only did one term. I’m owed a second.”

Ventura was elected governor in 1998 as a member of the Reform Party, a centrist political group. While he endorsed Walz for reelection in 2022, he has remained openly critical of both major political parties.

Reflecting on Good’s death, Ventura said, “Anytime you have the loss of life that needlessly happens, that’s a tragedy. What occurred did not have to happen.”