During the “No Kings” protest held on Saturday, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz delivered a heartfelt message to the Somali community, standing by them amid serious federal investigations into extensive fraud schemes.
Walz assured attendees, saying, “You are seen, heard, valued, and loved. Your contributions are essential to Minnesota’s character. I must say, it’s a lot more positive than what I can affirm about anyone in the White House right now.”
He specifically recognized the local Somali population, the largest in the nation, and pledged, “We will never leave the side of our Somali Minnesotans. Your great-grandchildren will endure long after that Orange clown is forgotten.”
🔥🚨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
His statements follow recent criticism from President Donald Trump regarding Minnesota’s Somali community in light of the ongoing fraud investigations. Among these, a notable case involves the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, where over 78 individuals were charged for fraudulently claiming around $250 million in federal child nutrition funds for meals that were never provided.
A significant number of those charged are of Somali descent, including many who are U.S. citizens. Charges have ranged from wire fraud to money laundering, with embezzled funds being used for personal luxury, real estate, and unrelated expenses.
Broader investigations have scrutinized 14 state-administered Medicaid and welfare programs, which billed nearly $18 billion from 2018 to 2024. Federal estimates suggest that fraud could account for up to half of this amount, potentially exceeding $9 billion in losses.
Various fraudulent operations involved submitting false claims for housing assistance, autism therapy services, and other needed supports, often through shell companies and phony service delivery locations. Patterns of kickbacks and inadequate service provisions have been noted, with some funds reportedly redirected overseas, including to terrorist organizations.
