Vice President JD Vance has formally requested that the Justice Department investigate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison, alleging they failed to curb widespread fraud in social services programs. The move, detailed in a letter to the department, references a report from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee that claims the Democratic officials were aware of systemic misuse of government funds for years and allowed it to continue unchecked.
Vance, who leads the Trump administration's anti-fraud initiatives and is seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, made the referral to the newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Justice Department has not yet commented on whether it will open an investigation, and it remains unclear what specific federal laws may have been violated.
Ellison dismissed the allegations as unfounded, calling the referral a "political stunt" and accusing the administration of using government resources to target opponents while showing leniency to allies. He stated, "It is deeply troubling to see official powers and public resources diverted away from serving the people and instead aimed at pursuing political adversaries.
That is not what government is for, and it diminishes public trust in our institutions." A spokesperson for Walz did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The referral marks an escalation in the White House's declared "war on fraud," though critics have raised concerns about potential political bias, given the division's close ties to President Donald Trump's office.
Vance posted on X that "Minnesota state officials are not above the law," emphasizing that those who facilitate fraud or retaliate against whistleblowers must be held accountable.