As federal investigations into fraud schemes tied to Minnesota’s Somali community ramp up, several liberal politicians have made more public comments supporting the group – raising questions about priorities in a state that has reportedly lost billions in taxpayer funds.
From flag redesigns to multilingual addresses, the response from Minnesota’s “higher-ups” has fueled the fire of debate over cultural accommodation versus accountability for criminal activities linked to the Somali community.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been at the center of controversy following a resurfaced 2024 video in which he unveils a new flag design that critics say closely mirrors Somalia’s national banner. In the clip, Walz says, “Ah, that’s better,” as the Somalia-like design is moved into frame.
“The flag resembles the national flag of Somalia, but many claim it’s just a coincidence. You be the judge,” wrote X user Tara Bull.
The flag change, implemented in May of 2024, could be seen as a symbolic “kneeling” to the state’s large Somali population, even more noteworthy given the ongoing investigations into welfare and daycare fraud schemes involving Somali-led organizations in the state. Schemes that have resulted in billions of dollars disappearing into the pockets of criminals.
As previously reported by DX, President Donald Trump has called Minnesota a “hub” for fraudulent money laundering, even terminating Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals. The President also criticized Walz’s connection to large-scale embezzlement of funds in programs associated with Somali organizations, alongside other reports of rising gang-related issues.
“Nine Billion Dollars was STOLEN FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA by Illegal Somalian Criminals. They must pay a big price, NOW!!!,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on December 19.
However, politicians in Minnesota seem to be doubling down on their support for the Somali community, while side-stepping any accountability for the “industrial-level” fraud rings.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gave a speech during a press conference earlier this month, re-uploaded by Fox 9 News, attempting to address the Somali community in their own native language.
Frey, struggling with pronunciation in what some observers could describe as a very awkward attempt at speaking the Somali language, also said, “We love you, we stand with you.”
“Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the entire country… in many instances, they are entrepreneurs and fathers, they benefit both the culture and the economic resilience of our city,” Frey added.
Further complicating the narrative are fresh allegations tying widespread daycare fraud rings directly to Walz’s administration.
A viral video investigation by YouTuber Nick Shirley has revealed that multiple childcare centers in Somali-heavy areas of Minnesota received millions in state funds despite appearing not to have any kids in those daycares or childcare centers, and with some blatant red flags, like misspellings of basic words like “learning” on their logos.
Some of the calls to the listed phone numbers of these fraudulent childcare centers have allegedly gone straight to Walz’s own office, according to the Geller Report.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed ongoing federal investigations into the fraud rings running rampant in Minnesota, with dozens of legal convictions tied to the Somali-led schemes.
“To date, the FBI has dismantled a $250 million fraud scheme that stole federal food aid meant for vulnerable children during COVID…The case led to 78 indictments and 57 convictions,” Patel wrote in an update to X on December 28. “The FBI believes this is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children, and this investigation very much remains ongoing.”
CASE UPDATE: MINNESOTA FRAUD SCHEME
The FBI is aware of recent social media reports in Minnesota. However, even before the public conversation escalated online, the FBI had surged personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) December 28, 2025
More video clips from 2024 have resurfaced – giving politicians like Rep. Ilhan Omar (D) a seemingly biased and potentially unhealthy connection to Somalia’s local leaders.
Omar, whose district includes a large concentration of Minneapolis’ Somali population, appeared alongside former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire at a rally in June of 2024, where Khaire directly told the crowd that Omar’s “interests aren’t of Minnesota but of Somalia.”
“Then why not go to Somalia and run for office there?” Gov. Ron DeSantis (Fla – R) wrote in a caption he posted alongside a clip of the rally.
“Her interests aren’t of Minnesota but of Somalia.”
Then why not go to Somalia and run for office there? https://t.co/4qwXw7dVrQ
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) December 29, 2025
Even with those new eyes on the state’s problems, their leaders don’t appear to be taking accountability.
Minnesota’s Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is also one of those “leaders.”
As previously reported by DX on December 27, Flanagan donned a hijab during a visit to a Somali market earlier this month, where she would also pledge unwavering state support for the Somali community while conveniently not speaking on any of the ongoing billion-dollar fraud investigations.
