Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing backlash after attempting to take credit for a sweeping series of federal fraud raids in Minneapolis, causing FBI Director Kash Patel to publicly clap back.
The dispute erupted Tuesday after Walz pointed to the coordinated operation as proof that state agencies had successfully identified suspicious activity and worked with federal partners to act on it.
“If you commit fraud in Minnesota you’re going to get caught — and that’s exactly what we saw today,” Walz wrote on the social platform X.
“We catch criminals when state and federal agencies share information. Joint investigations work, and securing justice depends on it.”
Today’s raids by state and federal law enforcement happened because our state agencies caught irregular behavior and reported it. That’s how the system is supposed to work, and our agencies will keep at it as long as there are fraudsters around to put behind bars.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 28, 2026
He claimed in the post that the raids were triggered by earlier findings at the state level.
“Today’s raids by state and federal law enforcement happened because our state agencies caught irregular behavior and reported it,” he added, saying “that’s how the system is supposed to work.”
The claim drew an immediate reaction from Patel, who pushed back on Walz’s framing and credited federal agencies with leading the operation.
“Come again?” Patel posted on X. “This FBI and DOJ with our DHS partners drafted and executed every search warrant today.”
Come again? This FBI and DOJ with our DHS partners drafted and executed every search warrant today. But go ahead and take credit for our work while we smoke out the fraud plaguing Minnesota under your governorship. https://t.co/HczInx5sZm
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 28, 2026
“But go ahead and take credit for our work while we smoke out the fraud plaguing Minnesota under your governorship,” he shot back.
The exchange highlighted tensions surrounding a wide-ranging fraud investigation that has been building for years and has already led to dozens of criminal charges.
Federal authorities executed more than 20 search warrants across Minneapolis on Tuesday morning, targeting a network of businesses, including several childcare centers, according to officials familiar with the operation.
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“Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation,” a Department of Justice spokesperson commented.
Sources said 22 federal warrants were carried out as part of the sweep, which officials stressed is not related to immigration enforcement.
Happy Learing Day 🎉
Today the Learing Center and 21 other fraudulent businesses were raided by the FBI.Here's what this means:
– There was enough evidence to get search warrants
– Tim Walz reversed his previous statements, confirming the fraud is real
– Fraudsters across… pic.twitter.com/MWZRvm59Kd— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) April 29, 2026
Among the locations searched was the Quality Learning Center, a daycare that had previously drawn attention during reporting on the larger fraud scheme.
The investigation dates back to 2022 and centers on allegations of widespread fraud involving government-funded programs. Nearly 100 people have been indicted in connection with the case, with 67 convictions secured so far.
Walz’s comments also come after he stepped away from a re-election campaign amid scrutiny tied to the same scandal.
🚨 NOW: Federal agents have just STORMED the Somali Quality Learing Center in Minneapolis, exposed by Nick Shirley for fraud, per Fox
OVER 20 SPOTS RAIDED — largely “Somali-run”
FOX: “22 court-approved search warrants in the Minneapolis area.”
I VOTED FOR THIS!
Thank you… pic.twitter.com/K46YEQ2RaD
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 28, 2026
During a recent interview, he pushed back on criticism of his administration’s handling of the issue.
“It happens in other states. We were going back — many of these people were prosecuted in 2021. He used it as an excuse because it was a perfect thing to do to say there was fraud,” Walz said.
He also accused critics of targeting specific communities.
“Demonize immigrant communities, especially the Somali community,” he said. “And I said what he was doing was — the programs in Minnesota, look, we are a generous state.”
Republican lawmakers quickly criticized Walz’s attempt to frame the raids as a success for state oversight.
“The same guy who spent a whole hearing dodging questions about $9 BILLION in fraud in Minnesota and talking about ICE instead is now praising fraud control,” the House Oversight Committee wrote on X.
The same guy who spent a whole hearing dodging questions about $9 BILLION in fraud in Minnesota and talking about ICE instead is now praising fraud control.
Tomorrow, we will pass legislation in the Committee to make sure it never happens again.
Sit this one out, Tim. https://t.co/G1LNkAVnJe
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) April 28, 2026
“Tomorrow, we will pass legislation in the Committee to make sure it never happens again. Sit this one out, Tim.”
Others echoed that criticism, arguing the governor failed to act sooner. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Walz has “zero credibility on the issue,” adding that he “willingly ignored and downplayed” fraud in the Minnesota.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna also weighed in, pointing to potential legal consequences.
“Glad to see Tim Walz has finally come around to holding fraudsters accountable, unfortunately it’s too little too late because I have already referred him, as well as other bad actors, to the DOJ for criminal referral for being complicit in this horrifying Minnesota fraud scheme,” she wrote.
Fellow GOP Sen. Rand Paul credited outside pressure for bringing attention to the issue.
“Well, the American people know we can actually thank @nickshirleyy and @VP,” he posted.
Vice President JD Vance also addressed the investigation, signaling continued enforcement efforts.
“The task force and the DOJ will be relentless in exposing these fraudsters wherever they may be hiding,” Vance wrote.
The operation follows an executive order signed last month establishing a federal task force focused on identifying and stopping fraud across government programs.
White House officials previously defended the administration’s approach and criticized state leadership in Minnesota.
“The Trump Administration is enforcing the law without apology,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said.
“Minnesota Democrats have turned a blind eye to rampant Somali fraud and attempted to obstruct the Trump Administration’s efforts to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from their communities.”
She added that federal authorities would continue pursuing cases tied to fraud and public safety.
“Every action taken by the Administration is well within the President’s lawful authority to protect the American people,” Jackson said.
“Minnesota leaders should work with the Administration to protect Americans instead of doing everything to oppose us.”
Tim Walz is the second dumbest governor in the country because my governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin IS THE DUMBEST. THE GUY WAS ELECTED IN 2016 THE FIRST YEAR OF MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD IN WISCONSIN. HE NEVER MET A TAXING BILL HE WOULD NOT APPROVE Or an anti-citizen he would not approve. Very happy he is not running for office again.