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- Senator Hawley Targets Minnesota AG Keith Ellison in Explosive Somali Fraud Exposé - February 26, 2026
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Senator Josh Hawley turned heads yesterday during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on nominations. He zeroed in on Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, placing him squarely at the heart of what Hawley calls a massive fraud scandal involving Somali communities. Taxpayers have lost hundreds of millions through schemes exploiting federal child nutrition and benefits programs. This confrontation, unfolding just as federal probes intensify, raises tough questions about state oversight.
Here’s the thing: Minnesota’s saga isn’t some isolated mishap. It exposes deeper cracks in how welfare dollars flow unchecked. With a nominee for a key anti-fraud role on the hot seat, Hawley’s remarks demand attention from coast to coast.
The Senate Hearing Sparks National Firestorm
During the February 25 nominations hearing for Colin McDonald, Hawley grilled the DOJ hopeful on Minnesota’s fraud epidemic. He declared Ellison “right at the center” of schemes defrauding programs like SNAP and child nutrition. Federal reports back this up, detailing ghost students and fake vendors siphoning funds. Prosecutors under Ellison pursued few cases despite FBI and USDA red flags. This inaction, Hawley argued, shields perpetrators while legitimate families suffer. Critics now eye the hearing as a pivotal moment for accountability.
Millions Vanish in Child Nutrition Heists
Fraud rings diverted over $250 million from federal child nutrition programs in recent years. Nonprofits tied to Somali leaders allegedly enrolled nonexistent kids to inflate reimbursements. Ethnic groceries laundered benefits, reselling them on black markets. USDA audits confirmed widespread abuses, yet Minnesota logged minimal convictions. Hawley highlighted how these networks span states, with Minnesota as ground zero. Taxpayers foot the bill, fueling bipartisan outrage over wasted dollars.
Ellison’s Office Under Fire for Shielding Fraudsters
Hawley accused Ellison of prioritizing politics over justice. Internal whistleblowers claim pressure to avoid community backlash led to leniency. Despite 2023 reports flagging “widespread fraud,” prosecutions lagged. Ellison dismissed issues as errors, not crimes, drawing sharp rebukes. Hawley pointed to recordings and donations from suspects as conflicts. This pattern erodes trust in state leadership, prompting calls for his resignation.
Somali Diaspora Links Ignite Broader Scrutiny
Minnesota hosts one of America’s largest Somali populations, and a subset faces fraud allegations. Community enterprises exploited enclaves for cover, blending remittances with illicit gains. Not everyone is implicated, yet leaders allegedly protected insiders for influence. Federal indictments bypassed state hurdles, netting dozens. Hawley tied this to refugee programs needing tighter reins. Similar probes now target Ohio and Maine.
Federal Pushback and Political Ripples
The USDA and FBI ramped up, recovering millions and securing arrests. Hawley praised these wins but slammed state complicity. He urged Congress to link funding to anti-fraud reforms. Ellison’s progressive profile heightens stakes amid midterms. Local reports note deferred prosecutions in minority-linked cases. Civil suits loom, testing Minnesota’s governance.
Final Thought
This scandal spotlights vulnerabilities in America’s safety net, where oversight falters and fraud festers. Hawley’s bold stand could force real change, but only if pressure sustains. What steps would you demand from leaders in your state?
Source: Original YouTube Video
Christian Wiedeck, all the way from Germany, loves music festivals, especially in the USA. His articles bring the excitement of these events to readers worldwide.
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