Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) ripped Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) this week for what have become massive fraud allegations in Minnesota's child care assistance programs.
Rep. Donalds's criticism followed a post from Gov. Walz showing Minnesota's unaccounted-for ranking in several areas, including the economy and public safety.
"#1 in fraud #1 in Learing Centers," Donalds wrote. "This industrial-scale fraud in MN is unacceptable, un-American and all involved must be FULLY-PROSECUTED."
The post stems from an investigation of fraud into several child care centers allegedly run by Somali immigrants in Minneapolis. In a viral video over the weekend, Independent journalist Nick Shirley found many of the facilities were closed despite posted signs indicating they were open.
The investigation included the mispelled "Quality Learing Center," which Rep. Donalds mentioned in his post. According to Shirley's investigation, the center claimed to serve 99 children and received approximately $4 million in state funding.
Federal prosecutors are also making the case that Minnesota received $18 billion in federal funding for these programs, with half of it allegedly stolen through 14 instances since 2018.
All in all, Shirley allegedly uncovered $110M of fraud in one day.
"FOREIGN CRIMINALS cannot & must not ever be allowed to exploit the American taxpayer & our hard-earned taxpayer dollars," Donalds argued in his post. "It’s time for transparency."
Other congressional leaders have criticized Gov. Walz, including Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ). Walz has been Minnesota's governor since 2019. He was also Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate during the 2024 presidential election.
“Tim Walz sat idly by while billions were stolen from hardworking Minnesotans," Biggs wrote on social media. "What Walz refused to address for SEVEN YEARS, Nick Shirley uncovered in ONE DAY."
Minneapolis-St. Paul has a Somali population of over 80,000, with more than 100,000 across the state.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who is Somali-born, also represents the district. Rep. Omar, a prominent progressive Democrat and critic of the Trump administration, particularly on immigration, has urged the country not to judge Somali Americans over a few bad actors during the ongoing investigation.
