Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing renewed scrutiny as federal prosecutors continue to detail the scale of fraud committed in the state during recent years.

According to The New York Times, federal prosecutors report that 59 people have been convicted in the fraud schemes under investigation and that more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds has been stolen across three plots.

The amount exceeds Minnesota’s annual spending to operate its Department of Corrections.

Federal auditors said the scale of the theft stood out even when compared with widespread fraud committed across the country during the pandemic through unemployment benefits, business loans, and other aid programs.

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The situation has triggered public frustration in Minnesota and has become a central political issue as the state approaches a competitive election cycle.

The report noted that Walz and other Democrats are being pressed to explain how the fraud occurred during their tenure, giving Republicans a significant campaign argument ahead of the 2026 governor’s race.

On Saturday, an X account that described itself as representing hundreds of Minnesota Department of Human Services employees issued a lengthy post claiming Walz was “100% responsible” for the failures and accused him of retaliating against whistleblowers.

The next day, Walz appeared on Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

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During the interview, Welker asked whether he took responsibility for failing to prevent the fraud within the state.

Walz’s response drew attention.

He said he takes responsibility for “putting people in jail.” He added that governors are expected to solve problems and said “it’s not just Somalis.”

The Times report stated that most of the prosecutions have been federal cases.

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Walz’s remark that it was “not just Somalis” prompted questions about how broadly the fraudulent activity extended and how many individuals may have been involved.

During the interview, Walz also said President Donald Trump was demonizing Somalis.

He said there was a “big difference between fraud and corruption.”

The exchange did not directly address the initial question about whether he took responsibility for the failures, and the interaction added to the ongoing political debate surrounding the matter.

The governor has faced criticism before over public comments.

The article referenced a previous debate with Vice President JD Vance during the 2024 election cycle, when Walz said he was “friends with school shooters” and that he was a “knucklehead at times.”

The fraud allegations have continued to attract attention as federal prosecutors advance their cases.

The claims made by the Human Services employees’ account, if accurate, could have implications for Walz as investigations proceed and as political pressures increase heading into the 2026 election cycle.

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