Walz, Ellison respond to White House push for DOJ fraud investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. Minn. (KTTC) – Vice President JD Vance is pressing federal prosecutors to investigate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison over allegations they failed to stop widespread social services fraud.

“Minnesota state officials are not above the law, and if they facilitated fraud, lied under oath about what they knew, or harassed and intimated whistleblowers, they must face justice,” Vance wrote on X, adding that his referral was prompted by a letter and a report from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee.

The committee’s report, published Monday, alleged that Minnesota state officials, including Walz and Ellison, were “aware of widespread taxpayer fraud in federally funded social programs for years” and did not take steps to stop it.

Vance was tapped by the president earlier this year to lead the Trump administration’s anti-fraud efforts through a White House task force.

The Justice Department has not said whether it would open an investigation following the vice president’s request.

It remains unclear what, if any, potential violations of federal law could support a probe into the DFL Minnesota officials.

Walz and Ellison have continuously defended their efforts to combat fraud and have characterized a separate DOJ investigation involving state leaders as politically motivated.

In January, the DOJ served grand jury subpoenas to Minnesota officials as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed or impeded federal law enforcement involved with Operation Metro Surge through public statements they made. The status of that investigation is unclear.

KTTC reached out to Walz’s office for a response to the vice president’s call for action.

A spokesperson referred to a statement provided for Monday’s KTTC reporting on the House Oversight Committee’s report.

“This committee has proven time and time again to be nothing more than a joke,” the statement said. “They continue to rehash COVID-era fraud to distract from endless wars, gas prices, ICE, and the President’s insider trading. Governor Walz is glad to see fraudsters are going to prison. If the committee is concerned about corruption, they should investigate why President Trump continues to let fraudsters out of prison.”

The attorney general’s office responded Tuesday directly to the DOJ probe request by Vance.

“The allegations in the House Republican report are unfounded, and Vice President Vance’s referral is a political stunt from an administration that uses the machinery of government to target its perceived opponents while extending leniency to those aligned with its interests,” Keith Ellison said. “It is deeply troubling to see official powers and public resources diverted away from serving the people and instead aimed at pursuing political adversaries. That is not what government is for, and it diminishes public trust in our institutions.”

Vance’s push for this investigation comes as the new Justice Department Fraud Enforcement Division has drawn scrutiny over the potential for political influence given its close relationship with the Oval Office.

The White House announced the division’s formation in January and initially said its leader would answer directly to the president instead of the typical DOJ command.

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