Gov. Tim Walz said in a podcast interview that he accepts responsibility for how his administration handled fraud in Minnesota’s public programs, while also criticizing the Trump administration’s response to the issue.
Speaking on Friday’s episode of “The Lever” podcast, Walz said he did not have the independent authority to halt payments to suspected fraudsters and that he needed the Legislature to grant him that power. Still, he acknowledged his administration could have moved faster.
“The amount of fraud, like I said, $1 is too much, but the amount that has been prosecuted, and people put in jail, is less than what [President Donald Trump] is asking for his ballroom,” Walz said.
Asked whether he was concerned the fraud allegations would keep causing political damage, Walz said, “Yes. They undermine faith in government.”
“It’s one of the reasons I accept responsibility for that. I think, you know, I had decided, probably after the murder of Melissa Hortman, certainly before Christmas, that we weren’t going to run again because I said, ‘They’re going to use this to attack others and to attack the system.'”
Walz argued that fraud in public programs is not unique to Minnesota. “Every state has this. Most states have far more than this,” he said. “The Trump administration decided to focus on the perfect storm for them.”
He described what he saw as a political strategy behind the scrutiny: “‘Blame Somalis.’ ‘Blame the guy who ran against me.’ ‘Blame this prosperous state that pays more money in than not and let’s punish them.’ But that doesn’t excuse that. Should we do more? Yes. Were there things that we should have closed back doors sooner? Yes. I mean, it happened. Now we know other states are learning from us.”
Walz went on to suggest Republicans benefit politically from the fraud narrative. “The problem with fraud and corruption, both of them undermine faith in government, and that plays right into Republicans’ hands. Do they like fraud? I would argue they do because it undermines federal. It makes a reason to cut these programs. They hate these programs that feed children. They hate these programs that, you know, work with autistic children. So, man, what a gift to them. ‘See, they don’t work. It’s tax dollars. Let’s close them down.'”
Critics push back
Julian Epstein, a former chief counsel for House Judiciary Democrats, disputed Walz’s explanation in comments to Fox News Digital.
“These excuses insult our intelligence. The governor has ample authority to stop payments when there’s evidence of fraud. The governor can also refer the evidence to state and federal prosecutors for immediate action. The reality here is that this systemic fraud seemed to be going on for over a decade with officials like Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan doing almost nothing about it. And there are serious questions as to whether they turned a blind eye because the beneficiaries of the fraud were voting for them, contributing to their campaigns, we’re helping them politically in some way. The real question is whether these senior officials were somehow benefiting directly or indirectly.”
Theo Wold, also a former chief counsel for House Judiciary Democrats, offered a similar critique. “They were in charge while foreigners and criminals pilfered billions in public funds, and Democrats let it all happen. Now they deflect and blame Republicans. You can’t make it make sense,” Wold said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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