WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Trump administration has taken action in response to Minnesota’s decade-long social services fraud scandal, which could cost taxpayers $9 billion. The U.S. Agriculture Department announced a freeze on $129 million in food stamp funding for Minnesota. This move is part of the administration’s broader effort to address welfare fraud in Democratic states.
In Minnesota, 98 individuals have faced federal charges, with 85 of them being part of the state’s large Somali community. (TNND)
The Government Accountability Office estimates that the federal government loses up to $521 billion annually to fraud. Last week, Vice President J.D. Vance announced a Justice Department task force to investigate fraud nationwide.
“Those programs should go to American citizens, not be defrauded by Somali immigrants and others,” Vance said.
In Minnesota, 98 individuals have faced federal charges, with 85 of them being part of the state’s large Somali community. Republicans have accused Gov. Tim Walz and other Democrats of ignoring the fraud due to the Somali population’s significant voting influence for the Democratic Party. “They’ve turned a blind eye,” Republicans claim. However, Democrats argue that Republicans are unfairly targeting a minority community.
“The fraud is very real,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “And by the way, when somebody commits fraud, you prosecute. And yeah, you put the person in jail as an individual. You do not hold an entire community, any community, accountable for the actions of individuals.”
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Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Department of Health and Human Services from cutting off about $10 billion in federal funds for social services and child care for five Democratic-led states. The agency claims the move is necessary to combat fraud, but the states argue that the administration’s effort is unconstitutional.
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