By Gloria Ogbonna
A coalition of 18 Republican lawmakers is demanding immediate action from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) after a federal audit revealed that his administration allowed foreigners to illegally obtain commercial driver licenses (CDLs)—licenses required to operate heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles across the United States.
The lawmakers argue that the scandal not only jeopardizes public safety but also showcases a pattern of misconduct and mismanagement within the Walz administration.
The strongly worded letter, led by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), wasted no time condemning Walz’s leadership. It opened by telling the governor that Minnesota now has “the entire nation in shock and disbelief over the record level of fraud and mismanagement of taxpayer money that has occurred under your leadership.”
Their outrage follows a Department of Transportation (DOT) audit, which found that one-third of Minnesota’s non-domiciled CDLs—licenses issued to non-U.S. citizens legally permitted to work in the country—were handed out illegally. These licenses went to individuals who had expired work authorization, unverified legal status, or who were barred from receiving a CDL altogether.
According to a DOT press release, the state now has 30 days to revoke the unlawful licenses or risk losing up to $30.4 million in federal highway funding—money essential to Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure.
A Pattern of Scandal and Mismanagement
The lawmakers’ letter also highlights earlier controversies surrounding Walz’s administration. Among the most serious is a U.S. Treasury Department investigation into whether taxpayer-funded programs overseen by Walz—and the Biden administration—unintentionally allowed millions of dollars to be diverted to the Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab due to, in their words, “feckless mismanagement.”
The probe was launched by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after reporting by City Journal revealed that federal counterterrorism sources traced stolen funds from Minnesota’s social programs back to Somalia, where they allegedly landed in the hands of extremist organizations.
The lawmakers blasted Walz for refusing to take responsibility, writing:
“Even after all of this, you don’t appear the least bit concerned. You have been asked what specific actions have been taken to end this extraordinary and unprecedented abuse and fraud. To date, you have not sent a single response, and the landscape of fraud continues to widen.”
They added that this level of dysfunction amounts to “negligence or complete incompetence,” warning that the governor has “embarrassed the state of Minnesota and, worse yet, allowed waste, fraud, and abuse on the grandest scale.”
Federal Regulators: Minnesota ‘Openly Defying’ the Law
The DOT audit was overseen by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek D. Barrs, who did not mince words about Minnesota’s conduct.
“Minnesota is openly and blatantly defying our rules, plain and simple.”
The lawmakers stressed that issuing CDLs to individuals without proper legal authorization puts not just Minnesotans—but all Americans—at risk, given that CDL holders can operate massive commercial trucks on interstate highways.
“Not only is your administration acting in a way that is incongruent with federal orders and rules… but you are knowingly putting Minnesotans and other Americans in harm’s way,” the letter stated.
They demanded that Walz revoke all illegally issued CDLs immediately and comply with federal law before public safety and federal funding are compromised further.
Exclusive Reactions from GOP Leaders
Speaking to Breitbart News, Rep. Stauber condemned the growing list of scandals involving Walz’s administration.
“First, it was the rampant fraud schemes like Feeding Our Future and Housing Stabilization Services, where billions in taxpayer dollars were siphoned off, some even making its way to terrorists. Now, this administration is actively compromising the safety of drivers on our roads. This waste, fraud, and abuse must come to an end.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) also weighed in:
“Another day, another Tim Walz failure. And once again, law-abiding Minnesotans are the ones forced to pay the price. Thankfully, the Trump administration is committed to holding Walz’s feet to the fire for his inexcusable negligence, as are we.”
The letter was signed by several high-profile Republicans, including Emmer, Michelle Fischbach, Brad Finstad, Ralph Norman, Guy Reschenthaler, Beth Van Duyne, Andy Biggs, Julie Fedorchak, Mike Collins, Claudia Tenney, and others.
Source: Breitbrat
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