White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told “Fox & Friends” that other states could face similar reviews. She referenced California and New York, describing a broader effort to examine “massive fraud in blue states.”
Former President Donald Trump amplified the matter on his social media platform Truth Social, asserting that up to 90 percent of the Minnesota fraud involved individuals “that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia.” Trump criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., the first Somali American elected to Congress, and labeled Walz a “crooked governor.”
The administration’s rhetoric accompanied additional enforcement steps. FBI Director Kash Patel on Sunday disclosed a surge of federal agents to Minnesota to support ongoing cases. Separately, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote Monday on X that 98 people have been charged and more than 60 convicted in connection with social-services fraud; 85 of those charged are of Somali descent, according to Bondi. She indicated more prosecutions were forthcoming.
Federal and state investigations stretch back several years. A U.S. prosecutor in Minnesota said this month that more than a dozen Medicaid-funded programs are under examination and that as much as half of the $18 billion spent on those services since 2018 may have been misappropriated. One COVID-era case centers on Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit accused of diverting $250 million intended for meals for children.
Republican criticism of Walz intensified after a conservative influencer posted a video last weekend that showed shuttered or empty child-care facilities listed as federal grant recipients. The footage drew millions of views and renewed scrutiny of state oversight practices.
Vice President JD Vance endorsed the funding suspension, saying verification prior to disbursement is essential to protect taxpayers. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., echoed that view and repeated his call for Walz to resign, citing what he described as failed leadership.
Walz, who assumed office in 2019 and was Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2024, rejected suggestions that he has neglected the issue. In a written statement, a spokesperson said the governor “is always happy to work with Congress” but characterized previous Oversight Committee proceedings as “circus hearings.” The statement also accused the administration of “selling pardons” while Minnesota authorities pursue jail sentences for fraudsters.
Ellison defended his record in a press release, noting that his office has prosecuted more than 300 Medicaid fraud cases since 2019 and secured over $80 million in recoveries and restitution. He said the state is “exploring all legal options” in response to the child-care funding freeze and questioned its legality.
Republicans have seized on the scandal to criticize Walz and to highlight the role of Minnesota’s Somali community. Civil-rights advocates warn that the focus on Somali Americans could inflame tensions in a state that hosts one of the nation’s largest Somali diasporas. Omar, frequently targeted by Trump, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Comer’s invitation letter specifies that Walz and Ellison should provide detailed explanations of internal controls, audits and corrective measures implemented since the fraud allegations surfaced. The committee also wants documentation of any coordination with federal agencies, including HHS and the Department of Justice. Failure to appear voluntarily could lead to compulsory subpoenas, according to a committee aide familiar with the planning.
The upcoming January and February hearings are expected to examine how fraudulent billing schemes operated, who benefited and why detection mechanisms failed. Lawmakers from both parties have said they hope to identify reforms that ensure federal assistance reaches eligible families and not fraudulent enterprises.
Crédito da imagem: Star Tribune via AP
