‘Credible whistleblowers’ warned Gov Walz, he ignored them, Oversight chairman says

In this segment, Fox News interviews House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer about an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social programs. According to Comer, the investigation centers on what he characterizes as significant financial losses in the state.

Comer alleges that Governor Tim Walz has downplayed the scope of the alleged fraud. According to the congressman, while Walz disputed whether losses reached the billions, Comer expresses confidence the amount “did exceed $1 billion” or at minimum amounts to “hundreds of millions of dollars.” Comer suggests this reflects a broader Democratic indifference to taxpayer spending, citing that 70 Democrats hold governorships across the United States.

The centerpiece of Comer’s account involves what he describes as “credible whistleblowers”—state employees who allegedly first reported fraudulent activity. According to Comer, these whistleblowers claim they have been attempting to warn both the state attorney general and Governor Walz “for years. Not weeks or months but years.” Comer alleges that neither official has taken action, suggesting political motivations related to demographic shifts in Minnesota’s voter base.

Comer outlines the committee’s investigative approach. He states the committee plans to bring state employees in for interviews and will seek to subpoena bank account information to “follow the money” and determine the full scope of alleged fraud and identify those allegedly involved. He notes that while the committee has conducted depositions and transcribed interviews, public hearings may follow at some point given public interest in the investigation.

Comer emphasizes the scale of the alleged losses relative to Minnesota’s budget, characterizing $2-3 billion in alleged social program losses as “a significant percentage” of the state’s social spending. He contrasts this with what he portrays as Minnesota leadership’s casual dismissal of the alleged fraud, framing it as an accountability issue. Comer suggests the investigation may lead to criminal referrals to the Department of Justice and speculates that similar fraud might be occurring in other states.

In Fox News’s Own Words

“We have credible whistle-blowers. State employees who first blew the whistle that there was fraud in Minnesota.”

“They have been trying to warn the attorney general and Tim Walz, the governor, for years. Not weeks or months but years.”

“We will follow the money and figure out how much money was sent and who played a part in that.”