Rep. Ilhan Omar Brushes Off Questions on Minnesota Welfare Fraud Scandal




The confrontation came amid federal probes into up to $9 billion in alleged welfare fraud in Minnesota, including schemes like fake childcare centers and Medicaid billing centered in Minneapolis' Somali community. Cases such as the Feeding Our Future nonprofit have led to 78 charges and dozens of convictions for defrauding over $250 million, prompting the Trump administration to freeze payments, deploy ICE agents, and end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis. Omar, whose district includes the epicenter, skipped a related hearing and decried the efforts as racially motivated, while Republicans push for her immigration records and Gov. Tim Walz announced he won't seek re-election in 2026. No charges have been filed against Omar, who denies any wrongdoing.