A viral investigation into Minnesota's childcare assistance programs has drawn political attention, with Kari Lake, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) calling for accountability, while Democratic lawmakers remain silent.
The controversy stems from a 43-minute video by investigative journalist Nick Shirley that circulated widely over the weekend.
Shirley and a Minneapolis resident visited several childcare centers run by Somali immigrants, documenting facilities that appeared closed despite posted operating hours and staff who declined to speak on camera.
Federal investigators estimate Minnesota received $18 billion in federal funding for childcare assistance programs since 2018. According to their findings, up to half, possibly $9 billion, may have been lost to fraudulent schemes in programs designed to help low-income families pay for daycare and early education.
Republican Response
Kari Lake praised Shirley's work and criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) in a NewsMax interview. "In one day he goes to Minnesota and uncovers over $100 million in fraud in just a few hours," Lake said. "Imagine if Governor Walz, instead of hiring some firm to do an audit, hired Nick Shirley to go in and figure it out."
Lake, who formerly lived in Minnesota, emphasized the impact on taxpayers. "The people in Minnesota are hardworking. They've been paying their taxes and find out they've been ripped off," she said, noting the alleged fraud affects all Americans since federal funds were involved.
Rep. Crane responded after Walz characterized the video as "white supremacy,” writing, "Of course he did. That's the only call left in their playbook because they've been caught red handed.” "The American people don't buy it anymore. They want their money back. And they want handcuffs."
As of now, Democratic lawmakers have not issued public statements addressing the fraud allegations or the investigative video. Republican critics have noted the absence of Democratic commentary on the matter.
The political divide over how to characterize and respond to the allegations appears likely to continue as federal and state investigators examine Minnesota's childcare assistance programs.
