Last week, Dem. Gov. Jay Nixon activated the National Guard in preparation for the grand jury announcement, but did not end up utilizing them last night, when cars were smashed and destroyed and nearby businesses were looted and burned down.

“The vast majority of Missourians are asking this morning … where were they last night?” Kinder, a Republican, asked Tuesday morning on “Happening Now.” “The law-abiding citizens and business owners and taxpayers of Ferguson, the St. Louis region have a right to ask this governor to answer some questions.”

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National Guard and police failed to protect businesses targeted by rioters during the  chaos, leading to charges that the Obama administration issued a stand down order.

Earlier this morning, Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder made the stunning claim, telling Fox News, “Is the reason that the National Guard was not in there because the Obama Administration and the Holder Justice Department leaned on you to keep them out? I cannot imagine any other reason why the governor who mobilized the National Guard would not have them in there to stop this.”

His comments followed Ferguson Mayor James Knowles’ complaint that his request for National Guard assistance was repeatedly ignored by Democrat Governor Jay Nixon last night.

Watch the video above to see Kinder and Knowles’ remarks.