Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he will not step down despite mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers over his handling of a massive fraud scheme tied to federally funded programs.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday forcefully rejected calls to resign as backlash intensified over his administration’s handling of a sprawling fraud scandal involving federally funded social service programs and members of the state’s Somali community.
Republican lawmakers in the Minnesota House have formally called on Walz to step down, citing what they describe as systemic failures that allowed billions of taxpayer dollars to be misappropriated. The lawmakers allege that dozens of Somali-linked operations stole more than $9 billion from federal programs, a claim at the center of ongoing political and legal disputes.
Walz responded defiantly when asked about the resignation demands, accusing his critics of acting on behalf of President Donald Trump. “It ain’t happening. I’m not going anywhere,” Walz told reporters. “And you can make all of your requests for me to resign, over my dead body will that happen. I will fight this thing until the very end to make this state better.”
WATCH:
He went on to shift blame toward Trump, asking rhetorically when the president would “take accountability for what he did,” and insisting the controversy would not force him from office.
The governor announced Monday that he would not seek reelection in the 2026 gubernatorial race, a decision that came as national scrutiny intensified over his administration’s oversight of the fraud cases. State officials have previously accused Walz of bearing responsibility for the scope of the fraud by ignoring whistleblowers and attempting to discredit early warnings.
At the center of the controversy is the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, which was created to provide meals to low-income children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors say the organization and affiliated operators fraudulently claimed hundreds of millions of dollars. Dozens of defendants have been charged, and at least 57 have been convicted so far in connection with the scheme.
Additional scrutiny followed the release of a Dec. 26 documentary by YouTuber Nick Shirley, which exposed multiple daycare centers that appeared inactive despite receiving taxpayer funding. Five of the 10 centers highlighted in the video had operated as Feeding Our Future meal sites and collectively received nearly $5 million between 2018 and 2021, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. One Minneapolis daycare reportedly shared a phone number with Walz’s office.
Walz further drew criticism for remarks made at a Dec. 12 press conference when asked whether Somalis should be held accountable for crimes connected to the fraud. He argued the issue should not be framed around law-abiding citizens and said that white Americans should also be held accountable for crimes committed within their communities.
Earlier this month, Walz also accused the Trump administration of staging a “PR stunt” and “indiscriminately targeting immigrants” after Immigration and Customs Enforcement expanded enforcement efforts in predominantly Somali neighborhoods in the Twin Cities.
As investigations and prosecutions continue, Walz’s refusal to resign sets the stage for a prolonged political fight in Minnesota, with Republicans pressing for accountability and the governor insisting he will remain in office despite growing opposition from lawmakers in his own state.
Original article
Comments