Minnesota Governor and Attorney General at Risk of Contempt Vote for Not Testifying on Fraud Allegations

Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will be subpoenaed and could face a contempt of Congress vote if they fail to testify about widespread fraud and misuse of federal funds uncovered in their state.

Comer stated both officials have not responded to voluntary requests for testimony. The committee’s first hearing on the investigation is scheduled for Wednesday, with Walz and Ellison expected to testify on February 10.

“By law, we have to give them an opportunity to come in voluntarily,” Comer said. “If we don’t hear anything from them after tomorrow’s hearing, then they need to go ahead and expect a subpoena.”

The committee’s investigation focuses on fraud within federal nutrition and pandemic relief programs that occurred during Walz and Ellison’s leadership. Comer cited whistleblowers — many of whom are Democratic state employees — who have reportedly warned the officials for years about the misconduct.

“They have been warning Tim Walz and Keith Ellison for years — not weeks, not months, years — that this fraud has been going on,” Comer said. “And they both turned a blind eye for political reasons because the Somali voting bloc was so important to the Democrat Party because they needed their votes to stay in power.”

Comer rejected claims that Walz’s recent announcement of not seeking reelection would end the investigation, stating: “Tim Walz thought this would go away by him simply announcing he was ending his political career. But that didn’t do it.” He noted both officials previously served in Congress and are well aware of congressional subpoena authority.