(NewsNation) — FBI Director Kash Patel on Sunday suggested his agency is putting more resources into investigating social-services fraud in Minnesota — a salvo that comes as the Trump administration has criticized the state’s Somali immigrant population and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.
Patel, in a social media post, said recent federal prosecutions into the misuse of federal dollars meant for children’s hunger relief is “just the tip of a very large iceberg.” He cited “recent social media reports in Minnesota,” an apparent reference to viral video that shows a non-operational childcare facility in Minneapolis that allegedly received state and federal funds.
“We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing,” Patel said. “Furthermore, many are also being referred to immigration [sic] officials for possible further denaturalization and deportation proceedings where eligible.”
The White House has framed fraud cases in Minnesota as examples of Somali immigrants playing the system; Democrats have warned against scapegoating an entire community for the actions of a few. The cases have also provided Republicans with an opportunity to portray Walz, the 2024 Democratic candidate for vice president, as turning a blind eye to corruption.
The governor’s press office on Sunday issued a brief statement listing state government’s attempts to curb misuse of public funds and said, “The Governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and ask the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action.”
Patel said the FBI had “dismantled” a Minnesota-based scheme defrauding taxpayers of $250 million that was supposed to be spent on food for children during the pandemic. He said nearly 60 people had been convicted following the investigation into “sham vendors, shell companies, and large-scale money laundering.”
