OPINION:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has come out swinging against the findings of an independent journalist that say his state, under his watch, has utterly, completely, devastatingly and most egregiously abused tax dollars, and by logical extension, taxpayers, for the benefit of Somali voters.
Walz has worked tirelessly “for years to crack down on fraud,” a spokesperson for the governor said on Fox News, Newsmax reported.
Yeah. On Opposite Day.
In truth, the only matter that’s still in question regarding the fraud that’s gone forth in Minnesota’s social services system is the number — that is to say, the number of billions that taxpayers have been bilked. Some say $1 billion. Some say $9 billion. Nobody says zero. Nobody — not even the Democrat-fawning, leftist-loving media.
“How Fraud Swamped Minnesota’s Social Services System on Tim Walz’s Watch,” The New York Times wrote in late November. Apparently, there comes a point where even Marxists in media can’t cover for their friends in politics any longer and have to write, however reluctantly, truths that zing — like this, from The Times: “The fraud scandal that rattled Minnesota was staggering in its scale and brazenness.”
And that was back in November.
Things have since gotten even more staggering in scale and brazenness.
From independent journalist to federal investigation staggering.
“Homeland Security agents are in Minneapolis,” CBS wrote.
“The FBI has ‘surged’ investigative resources and personnel to Minnesota, bureau director Kash Patel said,” Reuters wrote.
Ruh roh, Scooby.
And Walz twinkletoes in to say: Fraud will not be tolerated!
“[My administration] will continue to work with federal partners to ensure fraud is stopped and fraudsters are caught,” Walz said, PBS wrote.
Yes. We know. That’s ‘cause he has no choice. At this stage in the game, with billions of tax dollars gone missing, and nary a child to be found in the many child care centers that tax dollars have been paying to operate — at this point, Walz has no choice but to “work with” the feds; the feds, who by the way, aren’t so much his “partners” as his overseers — his course correction officers — his specially tasked investigators.
He didn’t get the job done.
So the feds are sending some folk who will.
That’s not so much a “partnership” as a legal whip.
From Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: “[We are] conducting a massive investigation on child care and other rampant fraud.”
From U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on X: “The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found.”
Apparently, the answers won’t be that difficult to discover. Independent journalist Nick Shirley, on scene to document the fraud, which included a visit to an empty building that nonetheless received $4 million in state funds to serve 100 children and that posted a misspelled sign that read, “Quality Learing Center” — notice the missing “n” — said this to Fox News: “A kindergartner could figure out there is fraud going on.”
So now Walz is investigating some more. He’s vowing to investigate. He’s strengthening his investigations. He’s launching investigations into “these specific facilities,” according to one of his spokespeople.
Well and good. Good and well.
But isn’t this the same Walz who has worked “for years to crack down on fraud,” according to his spokesperson on Fox News? Yes. Yes, it is.
In September, Walz announced he was running for a third term as governor. His best bet now is to pack it up, pack it in and find a new field of employment. Taxpayers have suffered enough under his watch. Just ask The Times — or a kindergartner.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.
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