NEW: Tim Walz Confesses Guilt On Live TV

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing explosive backlash after remarks aired during a live television appearance that amount to a public confession tied to the massive Somali-linked fraud scandal that has engulfed his administration.

The moment came as Walz appeared in public just days after announcing he would not seek a third term as governor in 2026, a stunning reversal that followed months of mounting pressure over widespread fraud involving Minnesota social service and benefits programs.

Walz made the remarks while promoting the state’s paid leave program, but the event quickly took on far greater significance after his comments were interpreted as an admission of guilt tied to massive fraud within Minnesota’s social service programs. The governor’s appearance came just one day after he announced he was dropping his re-election bid, a move Republicans say amounts to running away from accountability as investigators continue digging into how the fraud spiraled out of control.

“There’s full accountability for everybody because the buck stops with me,” Walz said during his prepared remarks. “I’m accountable for this. And because of that accountability, I’m not running for office again.”

WATCH:

The fraud scandal, which has centered on state and federally funded benefit programs, has already resulted in multiple criminal cases and raised serious questions about whether warnings were ignored for years. Walz attempted to frame his decision to step aside as a matter of responsibility rather than retreat, insisting he still has time left in office to defend his legacy.

“I have a year to continue to improve on a record that I think will stand up against anybody’s,” he said. “A record that has made Minnesota better, a record that makes people want to come here, and a record that has respected not only the dignity of people, but the idea of rule of law.”

That defense rang hollow for many lawmakers, who note that the fraud occurred under Walz’s watch and involved programs his administration repeatedly expanded while oversight lagged behind.

At the center of the scandal is the misuse of federal nutrition funds distributed through state-administered programs, most notably the now-defunct Feeding Our Future nonprofit. Prosecutors say a network of individuals, many tied to Minneapolis’ Somali immigrant community, exploited emergency pandemic rules to submit false claims for meals that were never served. In some cases, defendants allegedly claimed to provide thousands of meals per day from small storefronts, apartments, or vacant buildings.

Federal investigators allege that the operation ultimately stole more than $250 million, making it one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in U.S. history. Court filings describe lavish spending fueled by the stolen funds, including luxury vehicles, high-end real estate, international travel, and cash transfers overseas. More than 70 defendants have been charged, with several already convicted or pleading guilty.

Whistleblowers inside the system reportedly flagged concerns months before the fraud was uncovered, but payments continued as state agencies feared accusations of discrimination if they delayed or denied claims tied to minority-run organizations.

As investigations continue, pressure is growing for full transparency into how the fraud schemes were allowed to operate and why safeguards failed. Walz’s acknowledgment of accountability, paired with his abrupt exit from the 2026 race, has only intensified calls for answers.