Politics
WATCH: Tim Walz Vows To ‘Never Leave The Side Of’ Somalis
While speaking at Saturday’s “No Kings” protest, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz praised the state’s Somali community and attempted to defend them amid ongoing federal probes into multi-billion-dollar fraud schemes.
“I have a message to our immigrant community here in Minnesota. You are seen, heard, valued, and loved. You add value to our state. You are part of the fabric of what is good about Minnesota, and I have to tell you, that is a hell of a lot more than I’ll say about anybody in the White House,” the former vice presidential candidate told the crowd.
He continued with a direct reference to the Somali community in Minnesota, which is the nation’s largest.
“And I will add a special thank you and a special acknowledgment that we will never leave the side of our Somali Minnesotans. Here’s our pledge to you, our Somali Minnesotans. Your great-grandchildren will still be here when that Orange clown is in the dustbin of history. You will be here,” Walz declared.
🔥🚨BREAKING: Governor Tim Walz just pledged his allegiance to “Somali Minnesotans”
Walz: “We’ll never leave the side of Somali Minnesotans…your great grandchildren will be here when that orange clown is in the dustbin of history.”
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) March 28, 2026
The remarks came one day after President Donald Trump once again criticized Minnesota’s Somali community in connection with the staggering fraud schemes that have been uncovered, in addition to those under active investigation.
The most prominent case centered on the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Federal prosecutors charged more than 78 individuals in connection with a scheme that fraudulently billed approximately $250 million in federal child nutrition funds for meals that were never provided.
The vast majority of those charged were of Somali descent, and many were U.S. citizens by birth or naturalization. Convictions have included wire fraud and money laundering, with funds used for personal expenses, real estate, and other non-program purposes.
Broader federal investigations have examined 14 high-risk, state-administered Medicaid and welfare programs. These programs billed roughly $18 billion between 2018 and 2024, while federal prosecutors have estimated that fraud may account for half or more of the expenditures, with potential losses exceeding $9 billion.
Schemes have involved fabricated claims for housing stabilization, autism therapy services, and other supports, often through networks of shell companies and fake service sites. Prosecutors noted patterns of kickbacks and limited actual delivery of services, with some proceeds transferred overseas, including to terrorist groups.
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