Vice President JD Vance accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of attempting to steal credit for federal fraud investigations that led to FBI raids on more than 20 businesses across the state, exposing what officials estimate could be up to $19 billion in stolen federal funds from social services programs.
Governor Reverses Course After Federal Action
During a Wednesday appearance on The Will Cain Show, Vance compared Walz’s sudden tough-on-crime stance to an arsonist claiming credit for firefighters’ work. The vice president’s remarks came after Walz posted on social media that criminals committing fraud in Minnesota would face consequences, despite previously characterizing fraud investigations as white supremacy. The governor wrote that joint federal-state investigations work and are essential for securing justice, a dramatic reversal from his earlier position.
Vance told Fox News host Will Cain that the governor’s office provided minimal assistance to federal authorities conducting the investigation. The vice president credited state and local law enforcement officers assigned to federal task forces for their cooperation, explicitly noting that help came from individual officers rather than state government leadership. Federal agents raided the Quality Learning Center and numerous other locations Tuesday as part of the sprawling investigation into alleged social services fraud schemes.
Billions in Federal Funds Allegedly Stolen
Sources informed The Post that the raids primarily targeted businesses connected to the Somali-American community, with some estimates placing stolen federal funds as high as $19 billion. Vance indicated that Walz could face potential legal consequences depending on what the federal task force discovers during its ongoing investigation. The vice president confirmed the Trump administration would pursue denaturalization for individuals who committed immigration fraud to obtain legal status in the United States.
Administration Claims Unprecedented Success
A spokesperson for the vice president described the federal fraud task force as achieving unprecedented success in eliminating fraud nationwide. The statement characterized the President’s War on Fraud as effective, with the task force and broader Trump administration working continuously to expose fraudsters who have scammed American taxpayers out of billions of dollars. Republicans have accused Walz of ignoring widespread fraud in Minnesota for an extended period while it festered and grew into a multi-billion dollar problem affecting federal social services programs across the state.