GOP Cracks Down On Minnesota
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer says sworn testimony presented to Congress raises serious concerns about how Minnesota officials handled federal taxpayer dollars—and how whistleblowers who raised alarms were allegedly treated.
Appearing Wednesday on Rob Schmitt Tonight on Newsmax, Comer said witnesses testified under oath that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison were warned for years about fraud risks tied to federally funded social programs.
According to Comer, the testimony came from state lawmakers and officials who said repeated alerts about misuse of federal funds were raised long before the issue became public.
“They testified under oath that Gov. Walz and Attorney General Ellison were warned for years that fraud was occurring,” Comer said. “When whistleblowers came forward, they were allegedly retaliated against.”
Federal Programs Under Scrutiny
The House hearing focused on federal programs administered through Minnesota agencies, including child care assistance, food aid, housing support, and human services programs that rely heavily on federal taxpayer funding.
Lawmakers testified that weak oversight, delayed verification, and ignored audit findings may have allowed large-scale fraud to expand unchecked. Several witnesses warned that losses could ultimately reach billions of dollars, although investigations are still ongoing.
One Minnesota state legislator testified that employees within the Department of Human Services repeatedly flagged irregularities but were discouraged from speaking publicly. According to testimony, agency leadership allegedly monitored internal communications and created a workplace environment where employees feared retaliation.
Audits and Warnings Allegedly Ignored
Another lawmaker pointed to reports from Minnesota’s nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor, which repeatedly labeled certain state-administered federal programs as “high risk” and “unacceptably vulnerable” to fraud.
Those reports, according to testimony, documented problems years before financial losses escalated, including payments being issued before proper verification and oversight systems failing to keep pace with increased spending.
Additional testimony claimed that some taxpayer-funded dollars were diverted to luxury properties and assets outside the United States—raising further questions about accountability and enforcement.
Criminal Referrals Possible
Comer stressed that the importance of the hearing lies in the fact that witnesses testified under oath, with full awareness of the legal consequences for providing false information.
“This was about putting people who are directly involved on the record,” Comer said. “These are powerful figures in Minnesota government, and the testimony was clear.”
He added that multiple federal agencies—including the Departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development—are now involved in ongoing investigations in Minnesota.
Federal investigators are working to determine the full scope of financial losses and whether criminal charges or referrals are warranted.
“Taxpayers deserve accountability,” Comer said. “This process is about following the facts and enforcing the law.”
