NEW: GOP Lawmakers Introduce Articles Of Impeachment Against Tim Walz

Republican lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives introduced articles of impeachment against Governor Tim Walz over corruption allegations on Monday.

The resolution, which also includes a companion measure targeting Attorney General Keith Ellison, was filed during the ongoing 2026 legislative session.

Rep. Mike Wiener, who had shared draft articles with media outlets back in January, is listed among the authors. The Republican lawmaker indicated at the time that at least 10 Minnesota Republicans had signed on, with more likely to follow.

The resolution invokes Article VIII, Section 1 of the Minnesota Constitution, which assigns the House the power of impeachment and the Senate the power to try such cases. It states that Walz has engaged in corrupt conduct by violating his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the laws of the state.

Upon adoption by the House, the resolution would prohibit Walz from exercising gubernatorial duties pending a Senate trial, with resumption of duties possible only upon acquittal.

The resolution contains four articles of impeachment. Article I charges that Walz “violated his constitutional oath by knowingly concealing or permitting concealment of widespread fraud in state-administered programs despite warnings, audits, reports, and indicators.” It specifies that he was aware of substantial fraud involving taxpayer money through briefings and other findings, failed to halt it despite executive authority, allowed it to continue after warnings, and created or tolerated an environment that delayed or obscured disclosure to legislators and the public.

Article II alleges interference with oversight, investigation, or correction of fraud, including failure to direct agencies to cooperate with audits, permitting resistance to legislative oversight, failing to discipline responsible officials, and delaying reforms as losses mounted.

Article III states that Walz prioritized politics over lawful administration, breaching public trust by focusing on narratives rather than disclosure, failing to protect taxpayer funds, allowing agencies to operate without adequate safeguards, and undermining public confidence through lack of transparency. The final article charges failure to faithfully execute laws on stewardship of public money, including allowing safeguards to be ignored, failing to ensure compliance with antifraud measures, and permitting law violations despite knowledge of them.All four articles conclude with the phrase: “Wherefore, Timothy J. Walz warrants impeachment for corrupt conduct.”

Chicago, Illinois- August 21, 2024: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at the Democratic National Convention.

The impeachment effort centers on Walz’s handling of fraud in state programs, including nutrition assistance, Medicaid services for housing and autism therapy, and other social services. Federal prosecutors and state investigators have examined schemes such as the Feeding Our Future case, with estimates of losses reaching approximately $9 billion since 2018.

The Walz administration has responded with actions including creation of a Financial Crimes and Fraud Section in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, appointment of a statewide Director of Program Integrity, and executive orders on antifraud measures.

Ultimately, efforts to impeach Walz are not expected to succeed. The Minnesota House is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, meaning that all Republican lawmakers would need to be on board, as well as at least one Democrat.

The Senate, where Democrats hold a one-seat majority, requires a two-thirds vote for conviction and removal.

While the likelihood of early removal is low, Walz announced back in January that he would not be seeking re-election for a third term as governor after previously indicating otherwise. “In September, I announced that I would run for a historic third term as Minnesota’s Governor. And I have every confidence that, if I gave it my all, I would succeed in that effort. But as I reflected on this moment with my family and my team over the holidays, I came to the conclusion that I can’t give a political campaign my all,” the governor announced at the time.

Walz conceded that political pressure from the fraud scandal and other issues were damaging his ability to seek re-election.

“Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences. So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work. I know this news may come as a surprise. But I’m passing on the race with zero sadness and zero regret,” he added.

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