President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing a nationwide fraud task force on Monday, directly accusing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of being complicit in what he claims is up to $19 billion in fraudulent schemes targeting federally-funded programs in their state.
Executive Order Establishes Federal Investigation
Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced the task force during a White House signing ceremony, singling out Minnesota and California as states where taxpayers have lost millions through fraud in federal programs. Former U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson previously stated in December 2025 that Minnesota may have lost up to $9 billion to fraud, though Trump cited a higher figure of $19 billion. Hundreds of millions in fraud cases have already been investigated in court, focusing primarily on Somali-run child care centers.
Trump specifically criticized fraud schemes involving Medicaid funds designated for children with autism. He claimed individuals with no financial resources were arriving from Somalia and subsequently purchasing luxury vehicles. The president alleged that more cash leaves the Minnesota airport than any other location worldwide, suggesting large-scale money laundering operations. Vance joined Trump in accusing Somali populations of defrauding autism-related Medicaid programs.
Direct Attacks on Minnesota Officials
The president labeled Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison as corrupt, claiming they enabled ongoing fraud in their state. He specifically targeted Omar, repeating unverified claims that she married her brother to obtain citizenship. Fox 9 previously investigated these allegations and could not verify them. Trump has maintained a pattern of publicly attacking Omar, who has represented Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District since 2019. The two engaged in a verbal confrontation during last month’s State of the Union address, where Omar’s guest was removed from chambers for unlawful conduct but never charged.
What This Means
The new task force represents a significant escalation in federal oversight of state-administered programs. Trump stated that discovering even half the fraud occurring nationwide would generate enough revenue to balance the federal budget. The executive order signals increased scrutiny of Minnesota’s handling of federal funds and potential criminal investigations into state officials. Whether the task force will substantiate Trump’s billion-dollar fraud claims remains unclear, as current documented court cases involve hundreds of millions rather than the figures cited by the president.