DOJ Launches Criminal Probe Into Walz Over Billions in Welfare Fraud

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation into Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) regarding his knowledge of massive welfare fraud schemes that have cost taxpayers billions of dollars, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Monday evening.

The investigation comes on the heels of Walz’s stunning decision to abandon his reelection campaign, announced just days after independent journalist Nick Shirly’s report on widespread childcare fraud in Minnesota gained national attention.

Gov. Walz addressed the fraud allegations by acknowledging their scope, but also accused journalist Shirley and the Trump Administration of trying to “exploit” vulnerable populations in the state.

Leavitt rejected those claims, pointing to the devastating impact the fraud has had on Minnesota’s reputation.

“This is a man who can no longer even win the support of the voters within his home state because his policies have failed them. And now the great people of Minnesota, a state that was once known as the land of 10,000 lakes, has been turned into the land of 10,000 Somali schemes because of their governor,” she said.

The White House press secretary emphasized that federal prosecutors have already secured numerous convictions and continue filing new charges against individuals involved in the schemes.

The most recent indictments were filed as recently as Dec. 19, demonstrating the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Leavitt detailed the massive federal response being deployed to Minnesota.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck, across the entire government effort. We are surging resources. You saw today, the Department of Homeland Security announced we have nearly 2,000 agents from the Homeland Security Investigations Team,” she said.

“The FBI is on the ground. And we’re freezing money. HHS cut off funding for childcare centers and for daycares. USDA Secretary Rawlins has been asking Governor Walz to see the recipients of SNAP in his state,” she added.