Florida Representative Byron Donalds drew a direct line between fraud schemes in Minnesota and the financing of foreign terror groups this week, telling listeners on the Will Cain Country podcast that American taxpayer dollars are likely ending up in the hands of Al-Shabaab.
Speaking on the Fox News Podcast Network, the Republican congressman discussed the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s recent examination of Somali fraud cases in Minnesota. According to Donalds, the issue extends far beyond domestic theft, involving a complex web of international money movement that ultimately benefits Al-Qaeda affiliates.
“You have money going from the American taxpayer ending up in the hands of foreign terrorist organizations,” Donalds stated.
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The congressman outlined a specific mechanism known as a “hawala network”—a system of personal money movers often used in Somalia and surrounding regions to transfer funds outside of traditional banking channels. Donalds alleged that fraudsters in Minnesota were purchasing property in Kenya and Turkey while sending remittances back to Somalia through these informal networks.
Because Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, is deeply embedded in the region’s financial operations, Donalds argued it is “common sense” to conclude that the terror group is skimming off the top.
“They have their hands all in this hawala network,” Donalds said. “Once that money has been moved offshore into Somalia… that is a fact that a portion of those funds actually ended up in the hands of Al-Shabaab.”
Accusations of Political Complicity
Donalds turned his attention to the political fallout in Minnesota, leveling heavy accusations against Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. He suggested that the state’s leadership was not merely negligent but actively obstructed efforts to stop the theft.
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Donalds claimed the administration “stopped public employees from investigating” the fraud, alleging that the hesitation to act was tied to campaign finance.
“It’s clear that the Walz administration, Tim Walz himself, his campaign, I think also the Attorney General Keith Ellison, they were getting campaign contributions from these fraudsters,” Donalds said. He described the political apparatus in the state as “deaf, dumb, and blind,” accusing officials of “aiding and abetting” the scheme.
The congressman also offered a theory regarding Governor Walz’s political future, suggesting the scandal was the primary driver behind his decision not to seek reelection.
“When you actively know about the fraud and let it continue, it demonstrates, you know, in my view, culpability in what was happening,” Donalds concluded. “This is why.”
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