Vice President JD Vance announced on Monday a referral to the Justice Department for an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. The move targets alleged criminal fraud in social services programs. Vance made the announcement on a social media platform, emphasizing the importance of accountability for Minnesota state officials.
Vance highlighted a letter and report from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, which claims that Minnesota officials, including Walz and Ellison, were aware of taxpayer fraud in federally funded social programs but did not act to prevent it.
Response from Walz and Ellison’s offices was not immediate on Monday night. However, their representatives dismissed the GOP report when speaking to other media outlets.
Oversight Committee’s Involvement
The committee had sent a letter on Sunday urging Vance, spearheading the White House’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, to review Minnesota’s social services programs. Vance assumed leadership of the task force in February after President Donald Trump announced an initiative against fraud in his State of the Union address.
Following the address, Vance and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz announced a pause on federal Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota. Walz described the decision as politically motivated, suggesting it was retaliation rather than due to fraud.
Allegations and Investigations
The federal government increased scrutiny on Minnesota during Trump’s second term due to fraud allegations involving daycare centers. The state claimed in January that involved childcare facilities were not improperly operating.
In April, federal agencies conducted raids under Homeland Security’s guidance to investigate welfare fraud allegations involving taxpayer dollars. Trump’s allegations implicated the state’s Somali community, which he often criticized.
Governor Walz supported the raids, noting they were conducted with Minnesota authorities. He expressed confidence that state agencies would continue tackling fraud, aiming to apprehend those responsible.
Previous Investigations
The Justice Department, under Trump’s administration, had pursued other investigations involving Walz. One probe initiated in January involved Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. They were accused of obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts through public declarations. This investigation followed increased immigration officer presence in Minneapolis, leading to controversial incidents. Walz criticized this investigation as politically driven.