Trump means business.
The White House escalated its warnings Wednesday as federal investigations deepen into alleged large-scale fraud involving Minnesota state programs, with officials signaling that arrests could be forthcoming.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Trump administration believes accountability is unavoidable for actions that occurred during the tenure of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Appearing on Fox & Friends, Leavitt stated that Donald Trump is determined not to allow the matter to be brushed aside, emphasizing that the alleged misconduct took place under Walz’s leadership and oversight.
According to Leavitt, the administration has significantly expanded federal involvement in Minnesota, with multiple agencies now actively examining potential misuse of taxpayer funds. She warned that the consequences could be severe, stating plainly that “people will be in handcuffs” if wrongdoing is confirmed.
Federal agencies participating in the effort include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is conducting on-the-ground investigations at locations linked to suspected fraud. Leavitt reiterated that addressing the situation ranks among the administration’s highest priorities.
She also confirmed that the Department of Justice continues to issue subpoenas and execute search warrants, while the Department of Homeland Security is carrying out field investigations and enforcing immigration laws in affected communities. In certain cases, officials are also reviewing whether denaturalization may apply under existing federal law.
Additional scrutiny is coming from the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Labor. Reported actions include suspending some childcare funding pending review, examining unemployment insurance claims, and requesting full transparency regarding SNAP program recipients. Leavitt said the administration is working “around the clock” to determine how public funds were handled.
Governor Walz has publicly acknowledged the issue, stating that the situation occurred on his watch and that he is responsible for addressing it. His administration has questioned some federal estimates regarding the scope of the alleged fraud, but has also initiated third-party audits of Medicaid billing and paused payments for certain services while reviews are underway.
In earlier statements, Walz said restoring public trust is critical and warned that anyone found exploiting programs designed to help vulnerable citizens would be held accountable.
Despite those assurances, the expanding federal response suggests the investigations are intensifying — and that the administration believes further enforcement actions may be imminent.
