A massive federal crackdown on Somali-run welfare centers in Minnesota has sparked a sharp public exchange between Vice President JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz.
On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security executed multiple raids, including a high-profile operation at the “Quality Learning Center,” as part of an ongoing investigation into what federal officials describe as “industrial-scale” fraud.
The raids follow months of scrutiny, intensified by a December viral video from independent journalist Nick Shirley that highlighted suspicious activity at local daycare centers. Estimates suggest that at least $9 billion has been siphoned from various welfare programs.
The political friction began when Governor Walz took to X on Tuesday to claim credit for the enforcement actions. The move was met with immediate pushback from the Vice President, who argued the Governor’s office had been an obstacle rather than an ally in the investigation.
READ: Daycare Raid: Federal Agents Swarm Minnesota In Massive Fraud Crackdown
“This is like the arsonist trying to claim credit for the work of the fire department because Tim Walz let this fraud happen under his watch,” Vance told Fox News host Will Cain on Wednesday.
Vance alleged that the Governor either “turned a blind eye” or was directly complicit in the negligence that allowed the scams to flourish. He noted that federal authorities received little help from the state’s executive branch, relying instead on local officers assigned to the federal task force.
The Vice President’s office further emphasized that the “President’s War on Fraud” is the primary driver behind these operations. A spokesperson for Vance told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the administration is working “tirelessly to expose fraudsters who have scammed the American people out of billions of dollars.”
The backdrop to these raids is a series of escalating reports regarding the misuse of state funds. In November, reports from City Journal alleged that some fraud proceeds were being funneled to al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization based in Somalia.
READ: Tim Walz Says He’s Not Even Familiar With Minnesota Women Killed By Illegal Immigrants
Those allegations prompted President Trump to terminate “Temporary Protected Status” for Somalis in Minnesota on November 22.
Governor Walz, who announced on January 5 that he would not seek a third term, has faced mounting pressure since the scope of the fraud became public.
While he maintains his administration played a role in the crackdown, Vance insisted that the praise belongs elsewhere. “All credit goes to people on the ground, the federal officers, the state officers who are working to uncover this fraud,” Vance said.
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