WASHINGTON, D.C. January 5, 2026 – The Trump administration has launched a coordinated federal effort to investigate and dismantle what it calls a “fraud epidemic” in Minnesota, involving multiple agencies and targeting programs allegedly exploited on a massive scale.
In a January 5 post on X from the official White House account, accompanied by a graphic featuring statements attributed to federal agencies, the administration declared it is “unleashing a relentless assault” on fraud networks built “under the watch of incompetent Democrats like Tim Walz.” The post highlighted active Department of Justice (DOJ) probes and door-to-door operations by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The graphic quoted directly:
– “The Department of Justice is currently engaged in multiple active, ongoing, and extensive investigations into the fraudulent activity that has occurred in various Minnesota programs.”
– “The Department of Homeland Security is on the ground conducting door-to-door investigations of suspected fraud sites in Minnesota, with hundreds of Homeland Security Investigations officers in the state and more on the way.”
A linked White House article detailed the scope of the alleged fraud, pointing to schemes in child nutrition programs (such as Feeding Our Future), childcare, housing stabilization, health care, and other services, with reported losses running into billions of taxpayer dollars. It described many schemes as “Somali-dominated” and cited investigative reporting by Alpha News and a video by journalist Nick Shirley as key exposures.
Key Federal Actions Outlined:
– DOJ and FBI : Multiple ongoing investigations have led to charges against 98 defendants (85 of Somali descent, with 64 already convicted). Authorities have issued over 1,750 subpoenas, executed more than 130 search warrants, and conducted over 1,000 witness interviews. Additional probes target health care providers and potential links to elected officials or terrorist financing.
– DHS : Hundreds of Homeland Security Investigations officers are deployed for on-site probes, with more incoming. Recent operations include over 1,000 arrests of criminal illegal aliens and identification of more than 1,300 fraud cases through “Operation Twin Shield.”
– HHS : Childcare payments have been frozen nationwide pending justification, with heightened scrutiny in Minnesota.
– Other Agencies : The Small Business Administration halted grants and suspended loans tied to suspected fraud; HUD and the Department of Labor are reviewing housing and unemployment programs; USDA has demanded recertifications for SNAP benefits in select counties.
The announcement has drawn sharp partisan criticism, with the White House blaming Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Democratic leadership for “non-existent oversight” that enabled the alleged schemes.
Reports indicate the crackdown builds on prior cases, including the Feeding Our Future scandal described as one of the largest COVID-era fraud schemes. Federal officials say the goal is to recover funds, prosecute perpetrators, and prevent future abuse.
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