Things Get Worse For Walz
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says years of ignored audit warnings and whistleblower reports point to serious oversight failures under Governor Tim Walz, particularly involving child care and social service programs funded by taxpayers.
Speaking on Newsmax’s Sunday Agenda, Pawlenty said a documented trail of nonpartisan state audits dating back to 2018 repeatedly raised concerns about weak financial controls and the potential for large-scale fraud.
According to Pawlenty, those warnings were not isolated incidents.
“There is a clear paper trail,” Pawlenty said. “Independent auditors over several years were flagging serious problems—lack of oversight, poor controls, and a strong risk of fraud.”
He added that whistleblowers also raised specific allegations, yet state officials were slow to respond.
Pawlenty pushed back on Walz’s claim that scrutiny of the case is rooted in racism, arguing that such arguments distract from the real issue: government accountability and responsible use of public funds.
“This isn’t about race,” Pawlenty said. “It’s about whether leaders acted when they were warned.”
According to Pawlenty, auditors described a pattern inside the Walz administration in which officials appeared resistant to scrutiny. He said investigators encountered what was described as a “shoot the messenger” culture, with repeated examples of delayed cooperation and missed opportunities to intervene early.
Walz has said he was unaware of the alleged misconduct and is now working to determine what went wrong. However, Pawlenty said leadership responsibility includes ensuring that warning systems are taken seriously.
Accountability, Pawlenty stressed, must apply evenly.
“We should never stereotype people,” he said. “But we also should never excuse misconduct because of political pressure or fear of criticism.”
The controversy is now expected to receive congressional attention. The House Oversight Committee has scheduled two hearings to examine the matter.
The first hearing, set for Wednesday, will include testimony from three Republican Minnesota state lawmakers. A second hearing planned for early February will invite Gov. Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify.
Minnesota State Senator Mark Currin said concerns involving the Child Care Assistance Program were raised years ago but failed to trigger meaningful action. He suggested political considerations may have influenced the response.
“When these issues were brought forward, the state still failed to act,” Currin said.
Pawlenty warned that efforts to discredit auditors and whistleblowers divert attention from the potential financial impact on taxpayers.
“Let’s focus on what we know,” Pawlenty said. “There is substantial fraud being investigated.”
Early estimates cited by Pawlenty suggest potential losses could range from $9 billion to as much as $18 billion, though final figures remain under review.
“For me, this is personal,” Pawlenty said. “It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to see this happen in Minnesota. Taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership that responds when the warning signs are flashing.”
