FBI Director Kash Patel clashed with Minnesota governor Tim Walz over his claims over recent fraud searches in the state.
On Tuesday, there was a sweeping law enforcement operation across the Minneapolis area on Tuesday after federal officers conducted raids at multiple businesses as part of an ongoing fraud investigation. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents executed criminal search warrants “relating to rampant fraud of U.S. taxpayers’ dollars” in the Twin Cities area.
Raids were conducted on 22 locations mostly targeting childcare and daycare providers that receive Medicaid funding.
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“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, framing the operation as a collaboration between state and federal partners, asserting that the raids stemmed from irregularities first detected by Minnesota agencies. “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,” he added, noting “that’s how the system is supposed to work.”
Patel pushed back against Walz’s statement, saying “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.”
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin also criticized Walz on X, saying Walz had “zero credibility on the issue.” Mullin claimed the governor “willingly ignored and downplayed” fraud in his state.
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The City of Minneapolis at the same time, distanced itself from Tuesday’s activities. “The City of Minneapolis is not involved in the federal operations being reported around Minnesota today, and as of 9:30 a.m., MPD has not been asked to assist with the execution of federal warrants,” a post on the city’s X account read.
“We understand that any federal actions in our neighborhoods may spark fear among residents, and we will continue to marshal City resources to help the community in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge.”
Minnesota had previously been the site where the Trump administration sent approximately 3,000 federal agents to the state for an immigration crackdown that led to much backlash following the shootings of two U.S. citizens.