You Can See Clear to the Bottom of Minnesota's Fraud

Froma Harrop on Jan 8, 2026

Back in the mists of time, Minnesota Sen. Hubert Humphrey was asked on "Meet the Press" whether he liked spending the taxpayers' money. The question was barbed, but his response was masterful. Yes, Humphrey said, he was fine if the public dollars went to beneficial projects and the money was carefully spent.

The scandal in Minnesota could have met the first requirement, but it doubly failed the second in spectacular fashion. While the loss of perhaps $1 billion to criminal operators was shocking, the blatant nature of the schemes proved even more so. The state's political leadership ignored the flashing red lights lest they be accused of racism by the perpetrators, mostly members of the Somali community.

The fraud was so brazen that Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz announced he would not run for reelection. Wise decision. As scandals go, this one is outrageous. It isn't just the criminality of the abusers but the ease with which they got away with it, and for the longest time.

Members of the Somali community billed state agencies for social services that were never delivered. Money collected by one group, Feeding Our Future, provided funds for luxury cars and fancy real estate abroad -- while feeding nobody. Sham childcare services mushroomed. Some paid kickbacks to parents to enroll their kids in programs for autistic children while not providing the services. Some billed Medicaid for nonexistent housing for addicts.

A lawyer for some of the defendants argued that because state agencies were turning a blind eye to the fraud, "It was like someone was stealing money from the cookie jar and they kept refilling it." Translation: The money was almost asking to be taken.

Meanwhile, Somali spokesmen threatened to smear state officials questioning the criminal activity with charges of rank racism. Feeding Our Future told a state agency that not approving new applicants from "minority-owned businesses" would spawn a lawsuit featuring charges of racism that would be "sprawled across the news." Not subtle, these guys.

This whole affair should give pause to Democrats still wedded to racial, ethnic and other identity politics. That often-offensive practice helps explain their choice of Walz as Kamala Harris' running mate in 2024.

While everyone should be scandalized, conservatives might curb their habitual attacks against any progressive initiative as socialism run amok. No one, socialists especially, are good at defining socialism. But bashing all taxpayer subsidies as handouts puts conservatives on thin ice.

The proposal by Trump and allied Republicans to set up $1,000 "Trump Accounts" for American babies is exactly that. It's a taxpayer handout of $1,000 with no strings attached as to how the money may be spent. On diapers or slot machines? Nobody's asking.

Many conservatives have argued that farm subsidies are handouts. They often use the phrase "farm welfare." But tell that to Republicans representing farm country.

Another Trump indulgence -- using taxpayers to rescue farmers hurt by his tariffs -- could be deemed socialism squared. Trump distorted the market forces through his trade war, then sent checks to save farmers from the predicable outcome.

When Medicare was created in the 1960s, illustrious Republicans including Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush condemned government-supported health coverage for the elderly as socialized medicine. Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater argued that if government was going to pick up those costs, why shouldn't it pay for "cigarettes and beer"?

Then comes the 2024 election and the Republican platform states: "We will protect Medicare, and ensure Seniors receive the care they need."

The scandal in Minnesota offends half of Humphrey's requirement, that the money be spent carefully. The first half, that it go to a good cause, well ...

Follow Froma Harrop on X @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail.com. To find out more about Froma Harrop and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators webpage at www.creators.com.

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