Trump administration freezes $129M in Minnesota food stamp funding amid fraud scandal

The Trump administration has taken action in response to Minnesota's decade-long social services fraud scandal, which could cost taxpayers $9 billion. The U.S. Agriculture Department announced a freeze on $129 million in food stamp funding for Minnesota. This move is part of the administration's broader effort to address welfare fraud in Democratic states.
The Government Accountability Office estimates that the federal government loses up to $521 billion annually to fraud. Last week, Vice President J.D. Vance announced a Justice Department task force to investigate fraud nationwide.
"Those programs should go to American citizens, not be defrauded by Somali immigrants and others," Vance said.
In Minnesota, 98 individuals have faced federal charges, with 85 of them being part of the state's large Somali community. Republicans have accused Gov. Tim Walz and other Democrats of ignoring the fraud due to the Somali population's significant voting influence for the Democratic Party. "They've turned a blind eye," Republicans claim. However, Democrats argue that Republicans are unfairly targeting a minority community.
"The fraud is very real," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "And by the way, when somebody commits fraud, you prosecute. And yeah, you put the person in jail as an individual. You do not hold an entire community, any community, accountable for the actions of individuals."
_______________
Follow WTOV NEWS 9 on social media:

WTOV NEWS 9 News on Facebook:   / wtov9  
WTOV NEWS 9 on Twitter:   / wtov9  

Subscribe to WTOV NEWS 9 on YouTube:
   / @wtovnews9931  

For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit https://wtov9.com/
Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wtov9.com/watch


Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:

Email us: newsdesk@wtov.com
Call the Newsroom: 740.282.9999


WTOV is an OH based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.

#WTOV #WTOV News 9 #WTOV NEWS 9 #Steubenville News #localnews