(NewsNation) — Families in Minnesota are facing uncertainty after the Trump administration announced it is suspending certain child care funds to the state amid accusations of fraud.
The sweeping pause goes beyond Minnesota, with the Department of Health and Human Services saying the funds will be withheld until the government can ensure no money is being spent fraudulently.
Federal agents have been on the ground in Minnesota after a viral video from a conservative YouTuber suggested day care centers in the city were engaged in widespread fraud. That video came amid other alleged social services fraud, with 92 people charged so far.
On New Year’s Eve, President Donald Trump suggested other blue states have higher rates of fraud, though he did not provide any evidence for the assertion.
In the wake of the accusations, HHS is expected to demand states collect and turn over more detailed information about child care centers, including administrative records and attendance logs.
In Minnesota, day care centers have said the suspension of funds could lead to closures within weeks.
If parents are unable to access child care subsidies to pay for day care or facilities shut down, families will be forced to figure out alternative options for child care.
Parents may be forced to quit their jobs or pause their education to care for children, potentially putting families in financially precarious positions that could lead to homelessness.
State leaders in Minnesota have pushed back on statements blaming the state, pointing to efforts to crack down on fraud and questioning the video that sparked the latest round of investigations.
