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New York Times columnist Mara Gay appeared to downplay the growing fraud allegations in Minnesota, suggesting that the Somali community is being “victimized” by a politicized Department of Justice (DOJ).
Gay’s comments on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe” Monday came after a video went viral from freelance reporter Nick Shirley, showing visits to several Minnesota day care centers that appeared to be dysfunctional despite receiving millions in state money.
Although he agreed that any fraud in the country should be “thoroughly investigated”, regardless of which party is in power, Gay said that the Minnesota government’s investigation may be politically motivated.
TIM WALZ FALLS BACK ON MINNESOTA FRAUD ALLEGATIONS FOLLOWING VIRAL DAYcare VIDEO
Homeland Security investigators were part of a major fraud investigation Monday in Minneapolis following the release of a video over the weekend about alleged child fraud. (Department of Homeland Security)
“The question is, why is this so important in a different way?” The gay asked. “The politics of the DOJ and the FBI are indisputable. So whether they are reliable reporters is a big question. This is what happens when you arm and politicize government agencies that are not meant to be politicized. I think the American people are right to ask the question: Can we trust you? And that’s a sad thing to say as an American.”
He added that fraud scandals are “not just political,” pointing to a recent social security scandal in Mississippi, and said the Somali community, which has been affected by recent scandals, is being persecuted to appease the food industry.
ILHAN OMAR SAYS THERE ARE VERY FEW SOMALI FAMILIES MORE THAN TWO IN THE COUNTRY
“However, the other thing here is that because it looks like the Somali people in Minnesota – the Somali immigrants – may have been involved in some way, those people are being mistreated,” Gay said. “That community is marginalized in a very effective way, and that’s something that needs to be looked at. And that’s not right, at all.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been criticized for the growth of fraud schemes found in his state. (Getty Images)
In a comment to Fox News Digital, the Justice Department pointed to a recent document by US Attorney General Pam Bondi that says it has charged 98 people, including 85 of Somali descent, since the investigation began.
“We’ve got more prosecutions to come…BUT UP, THEY HAVE LAWS!” Bondi wrote.
Minnesota has been at the center of fraud scandals for weeks, and it is reported that at least $1 billion has been lost due to alleged welfare fraud that has much to do with Minneapolis’ Somali community, although Gov. Minnesota’s Tim Walz disputed that figure.
TIM WALZ HAS BEEN FILED IN WASHINGTON FOR REFUSING TO COMMITMENT TO THE MINNESOTA CHURCH FRAUD.
Over the weekend, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency has sent additional personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota as part of an ongoing effort “to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes that exploit federal systems.”
Authorities have suggested that at least $1 billion has been lost to fraud related to Minnesota’s Somali community. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital; Scott Olson/Getty Images)
On Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed to X that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were in Minneapolis to conduct a “major” investigation.
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Louis Casiano of Fox News contributed to this report.
