In Minnesota, a significant welfare fraud scandal has emerged, sparking intense public anxiety and legal action. Investigators claim that a group of individuals, primarily from the Somali community, orchestrated complex schemes that siphoned off hundreds of millions intended for the state’s most vulnerable citizens. Alarmingly, there are suspicions that some of this misappropriated money was sent overseas, possibly funding groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia.
Critics are drawing connections between this fraud and broader immigration and electoral issues. Fox News host Jesse Watters noted, “Everybody gets Social Security numbers and everybody gets welfare—and they form this huge voting block in the city.” He cited the presence of approximately 80,000 Somali residents in Minnesota, whom he claims predominantly support Democratic candidates. This statement has fueled discussions across conservative media platforms.
The scale of this fraud is staggering. Federal prosecutors revealed a particularly shocking case involving Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, who defrauded a pandemic-related child nutrition program out of $47 million. Nur falsely reported that he served 18 million meals to low-income children, meals that never existed. Court documents detailed how he used the stolen funds to purchase fake degrees, even paying $12,000 to a website that assists with homework. Nur graduated with a 3.75 GPA, courtesy of taxpayer dollars.
But Nur’s crime is just one among many. A total of 78 individuals have been implicated in various schemes linked to the Feeding Our Future investigation, with 56 either pleading guilty or being convicted. Most are part of Minnesota’s large Somali immigrant community, the largest in the nation, numbering more than 80,000.
The fraud schemes took advantage of numerous government programs, including Medicaid, housing subsidies, and pandemic relief funds. The total loss attributed to this fraudulent activity may surpass $300 million, with some estimates suggesting it could reach $1 billion. Investigators also uncovered that part of these funds was funneled through the Hawala network, a cash-transfer system common in East Africa, raising concerns that some money ended up supporting terrorist organizations.
“There are people that legitimately need those resources who are not getting them,” commented former state senator David Gaither. “It’s beyond criminal.”
Kayesh Magan, a former fraud investigator, acknowledged the significant involvement of Somali individuals in these criminal activities. Ryan Thorpe, a journalist who has investigated the scandal, warned that law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed. “The system is overwhelmed,” Thorpe said, illustrating the difficulty local authorities face in controlling the rampant fraud.
The response from federal law enforcement has been reactive rather than proactive. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson has charged eight Minnesota men—six from the Somali community—with wire fraud for establishing fake businesses to exploit the Housing Stability Services program. In light of repeated fraud incidents, Minnesota’s Department of Human Services has permanently shut down the housing initiative due to skyrocketing costs and inadequate oversight.
The political ramifications are growing. Former President Donald Trump has criticized Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz for his perceived failure to control the fraud, labeling him “incompetent” and suggesting that Democrats actively cultivate immigrant-heavy programs for electoral gain. Conservative commentator Christopher Rufo went so far as to co-author a report claiming that this fraud network poses a national security threat. Rufo stated, “This story is not just about food money—it’s about loyalty, citizenship, and whether America can survive the consequences of its own generosity.”
The lack of rigorous oversight and reluctance to investigate potential fraud has contributed to this situation. Whistleblowers revealed that many warnings fell on deaf ears, with accusations of racial profiling used to stifle scrutiny. Consequently, the fraudulent activity progressed unchecked over the years.
Governor Walz and other officials have not taken full responsibility for the situation. Local news sources, like the Minnesota Star Tribune, have covered the fraud only sporadically, often emphasizing concerns about stereotypes associated with the Somali community. National media attention has finally compelled local authorities to confront the scandal’s full implications.
Some voices on the left caution against blaming the entire Somali American population, claiming only a small segment has faced charges. However, critics argue that the state’s welfare system has become vulnerable to exploitation due to a permissive policy framework. Watters highlighted that these programs do not merely distribute financial aid—they also enable political machines that thrive on dependency.
The roots of this fraud are deeply embedded in Minnesota’s generous welfare programs. The combination of lax oversight, language barriers, and cultural differences has left the system at risk of exploitation by tight-knit communities that employ informal financial networks. Analysts contend that the welfare program was never structured to handle such cultural misalignments and abuses.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that federal probes are also evaluating whether any of the looted funds were knowingly funneled to foreign terrorist organizations. Although specific charges related to terrorism have yet to be made, officials remain vigilant. “We are actively tracking how hardworking Minnesotans’ tax dollars may have enabled foreign threats,” Bessent stated.
The ongoing investigations into this welfare fraud scandal have consequences that extend beyond finances and legal accountability. Voters, taxpayers, and lawmakers alike are calling for urgent answers about immigration policies and the integrity of welfare oversight. As Watters indicated, the intertwining of mass migration and political loyalty will undoubtedly be a significant issue in the looming elections.
“This isn’t a one-off,” Rufo remarked in an interview. “It’s a clear demonstration of how a broken system invites exploitation—and how that exploitation becomes power.”
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