Lame-duck Tim Walz made a shocking course reversal on Tuesday following federal raids on Minneapolis, Minnesota day care centers after previously criticizing fraud investigations as “white supremacy.” FBI Director Kash Patel quickly responded after the failed 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee appeared to claim credit for the federal operation.
In a thread on X, Walz said he was putting criminals “on notice” and added that the FBI was working alongside state officials.
“If you commit fraud in Minnesota you’re going to get caught — and that’s exactly what we saw today. We catch criminals when state and federal agencies share information. Joint investigations work, and securing justice depends on it,” Walz’s thread began.
“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,” he further claimed.
That led Patel to respond: “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.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also took to X to lambast Walz.
“You have zero credibility on this issue,” he wrote. “@GovTimWalz, you have willingly ignored and downplayed the rampant fraud and abuse in Minnesota. This crackdown on fraud has come thanks to the leadership of President Trump. We will hold those who steal from Americans accountable.”
Minutes before Walz’s post, the city of Minneapolis, which is run by left-wing Democrats, posted an announcement that contradicted him, saying: “The City of Minneapolis is not involved in the federal operations being reported around Minnesota today, and as of 9:30 a.m., MPD [Minneapolis Police Dept.] has not been asked to assist with the execution of federal warrants.”
Walz ended his bid for a third term as governor in January after an independent journalist, Nick Shirley, uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of fraud. “I will never run for office again,” Walz told MS NOW.
Shirley produced two bombshell videos highlighting what he says is more widespread fraud mostly within Minneapolis’ Somali community, including phony daycare centers and ghost ‘transportation’ companies.
Shirley’s first report, a 42-minute video published in early January, examined day care centers that appeared inactive or closed despite receiving significant public funding.
The video accumulated more than 134 million views on X, according to platform metrics, and prompted increased scrutiny from federal officials. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services subsequently announced a freeze on child care payments to Minnesota while reviews are conducted.
As the video gained attention, several major news organizations, including CNN, PBS, and The New York Times, dismissed Shirley’s findings as a viral video rather than an investigative report. Journalist Stella Escobedo commented on X that response was “an indictment” on corporate mainstream media, which led Shirley to respond: “Just wait until I post part 2, they are going to go insane.”
Shirley has also publicly criticized several media outlets over their coverage of his reporting. He took issue with a CBS News reporter whom he said attempted to minimize his findings. PBS described Shirley as a “right-wing influencer” and said he accused Minnesota day care centers of fraud “without proof.”
The New York Times characterized his work as a “single viral video,” while NPR featured commentary from a University of Minnesota media law professor who suggested Shirley was promoting a particular narrative.