JUST IN: State accused of funneling taxpayer dollars to TERROR group

A Fox News segment examines allegations that Minnesota taxpayer dollars designated for state assistance programs have been fraudulently diverted and may have ended up funding a terror organization in Somalia. According to Fox News, the controversy stems from a report by the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal and has prompted congressional investigation and presidential action.

The broadcast reports that Congressman Tom Emmer is investigating claims based on a Manhattan Institute report alleging that funds meant for Minnesota housing and food assistance programs have been stolen. Fox News correspondent Jeff Paul explains that the City Journal report, citing unnamed sources, alleges a complex network was used to send money to Somalia, where it allegedly ended up aiding al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked terror group. According to the segment, Congressman Emmer and other members of Congress have sent a letter to the Minnesota Attorney General demanding answers about these allegations.

The segment features commentary from Douglas Murray of the New York Post, who describes the allegations as “incredibly serious.” According to Murray’s analysis presented in the video, the alleged fraud includes misuse of COVID-era loans and other taxpayer funds. Fox News reports that President Trump announced on Truth Social his termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota, citing the allegations and claiming “billions of dollars are missing.”

Fox News shows Representative Ilhan Omar responding to the controversy, though the segment notes she did not directly address the fraud allegations in the footage shown. The broadcast also reports that a Department of Justice official stated the matter “takes this extremely seriously and it will be thoroughly investigated.”

In the video, Murray argues that even if the allegations only involve fraud without terror connections, it would still constitute defrauding American taxpayers. According to Fox News, Chris Rufo, apparently connected to the original report, stated there are “dozens of these fraud schemes” under investigation in Minnesota.

In Fox News’s Own Words

“If this is true, it would not only be a grave national security concern, but a slap in the face of the hardworking and law-abiding people of Minnesota.”

“This is an incredibly serious report and an incredibly serious allegation. It suggests that money paid by American taxpayers could have found its way into the hands of an al Qaeda linked terrorist group.”

“There is not a single evidence that the President or his goonies have put forth that there’s any resource from taxpayers in Minnesota that have gone to aid terrorism.”

The segment matters because it presents serious allegations about potential misuse of public funds and possible national security implications. According to Fox News, the claims involve state-level welfare programs, federal immigration policy, and counterterrorism concerns. The broadcast indicates federal investigators are examining the allegations, though the underlying report relies on unnamed sources and the claims remain unverified by independent authorities.