Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he will not run for a third term, saying he will instead focus on tackling allegations of fraud in the state’s welfare system.
The welfare fraud issue has escalated into a political crisis, intensified by mounting pressure from the Trump administration.
Driving the news: Walz, who became governor in 2019, recently gained national attention as Kamala Harris’s running mate in the unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.
- The Trump administration has targeted Minnesota, highlighting its large Somali American and immigrant population in connection to alleged fraud by nonprofits managing state welfare programs.
What he’s saying: Walz called the situation a “crisis,” expressing his desire to address the issue directly while leaving the upcoming election to other candidates.
- He referenced both “organized groups of criminals” exploiting Minnesota’s welfare system and “organized political actors” seeking to capitalize on the crisis for political gain.
- Walz accused Trump and his allies of trying to make Minnesota “a colder, meaner place” and described their actions as attacks on the state’s immigrant communities.
Zoom in: Federal officials have ramped up investigations and public criticism, often focusing their rhetoric on Minnesota’s Somali communities and on prominent Democrats like Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
