Finstad heads GOP call for Walz, Ellison to resign amid fraud allegations

Published: Jun. 10, 2026 at 9:08 PM CDT

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Congressman Brad Finstad is leading a Republican effort to urge Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to resign.

The move comes following the fraud report released earlier this week by the GOP-led House Oversight Committee.

In a letter dated Wednesday, Finstad, along with Reps. Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, and Michelle Fischbach, wrote that the resignations of Walz and Ellison would be the first step toward restoring confidence in state government.

“We believe the confidence necessary to effectively govern has been irreparably damaged,” the Minnesota Republican delegation said. “We therefore urge you to resign from office immediately. Minnesota deserves leadership that will restore accountability, rebuild public trust, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.”

As KTTC reported Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance has urged the Department of Justice to open an investigation into the two state leaders based on the House Oversight Committee’s allegations.

Walz and Ellison appeared before the committee in March.

On Monday, a more than 200-page report was released on the Republican-controlled group’s assessment. It accused Walz and Ellison of knowing about widespread fraud taking place in social services programs for many years and failing to do anything about it.

Walz and Ellison deny those allegations, calling them politically motivated.

The DOJ has yet to comment on Vance’s referral.

KTTC reached out to the governor’s office late Wednesday afternoon for the opportunity to comment.

Walz is not seeking reelection this November.

Ellison is running for a third term.

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