Minnesota governor Tim Walz (D.) suggested the federal prosecutor behind the Somali fraud convictions in the state should be fired, accusing him of "defamation" for providing an estimate of the total amount defrauded from Medicaid programs.
"You saw a U.S. attorney stand up, which … would have been let go by any other administration, speculating about things with no factual information," Walz said Tuesday. "That's defamation … and that's coming from the attorney. We are under assault like no other time in our state's history because of a petty, vile administration that doesn't care about the well-being of Minnesotans."
Walz was referring to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, whose team has thus far indicted more than 90 fraudsters, convicted more than 60, and is pursuing additional cases. During a December press conference, Thompson estimated that the total amount defrauded from Medicaid programs alone in Minnesota could surpass $9 billion. That appears to be the statement that Walz called "defamation."
Though Walz indicated that "any other administration" would have fired Thompson, federal authorities first raided fraud sites around the Twin Cities in January 2022, one year into the Biden administration. The first federal conviction came in June 2024. That fraudster, Mohamed Jama Ismail, was sentenced in October 2024, before President Donald Trump was elected to a second term.
Neither Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar (D.) nor state attorney general Keith Ellison (D.) responded to requests for comment on whether they agree with Walz. U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen denounced the governor's criticism of Thompson.
"Gov. Walz's comments about First Assistant U.S. Attorney Thompson constitute a contemptible attack on a federal prosecutor and a betrayal of the governor's oath of office," Rosen said in a statement. "Joe Thompson is an outstanding public servant who has my full confidence and that of the people of Minnesota."
Walz's remarks came one day after he announced he would abandon his reelection bid amid intense backlash over his handling of the fraud scheme. House Republicans held a Wednesday hearing on the fraud, which Ellison rebuked.
"Listen, you're going to hear a lot of bullshit from Republicans who would rather play politics than protect Minnesotans money," Ellison posted Wednesday on X. "The truth is, I am proud to hold the record as the most effective prosecutor of Medicaid and civil fraud. Despite Republican obstruction, my office has prosecuted over 300 criminals and recovered over $70 million for the state."
All of the charges in the Somali fraud schemes have come from federal prosecutors rather than Ellison's office. Ellison held a friendly meeting with some of the fraudsters in December 2021, telling them he was "here to help." He defended the sitdown by claiming he was unaware of the active federal investigation at the time. Months after the meeting, Ellison said the fraud indictments would not have happened without his help.
Ellison is reportedly considering running to replace Walz. The outgoing governor vowed to focus on holding Republican lawmakers accountable before he leaves office.
"Expect for the next 11 months for me to ride you like you've never been ridden," Walz said.
