Trump Administration Probes Multibillion-Dollar Somali Welfare Fraud in Minnesota

The Trump administration is conducting a massive federal probe into a Somali welfare fraud operation in Minnesota, with estimates suggesting the theft of taxpayer dollars ranges between $9 billion and $20 billion. The schemes reportedly involve false autism claims and ineligible enrollments for food assistance. Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, characterized the operation as the single-greatest theft of taxpayer dollars through welfare fraud in American history.

President Donald Trump previously described the situation as a criminal cover-up, and his administration has alleged that the Democrat-led government of Minnesota is fully complicit in the scheme. In February 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement began winding down a major operation in the state as the financial probe intensified.

Political reactions to the investigation have been starkly divided. Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the fraud as disgusting, emphasizing the theft of money from hungry children. Conversely, Representative Jamie Raskin argued during a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing that the investigations serve as a pretext to bully and intimidate Somali Americans in the Twin Cities. Simultaneously, Congress has expanded its inquiry to include the financial records of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar.