“This is an all-hands-on-deck effort,” Leavitt said, outlining actions by multiple federal agencies. She cited the deployment of nearly 2,000 Homeland Security Investigations agents, FBI involvement on the ground, frozen funds, and the suspension of federal support for certain childcare and daycare programs. She also noted that Cabinet officials have sought cooperation from the Walz administration regarding oversight of SNAP recipients and other assistance programs.
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Leavitt emphasized that combating fraud is a top priority for President Donald Trump, stating that the administration believes accountability must extend beyond individual defendants. “President Trump believes Governor Walz may be criminally liable, and I think the Department of Justice is going to find out,” she said.
The largest fraud case in Minnesota stems from the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, which federal prosecutors say stole approximately $250 million from a federal child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic by submitting false claims. As of late 2025, authorities have charged 78 individuals in that case alone, with more than 50 guilty pleas and multiple convictions at trial, including the organization’s founder.
Broader federal investigations now span 14 state-administered programs, including Medicaid-funded services. Prosecutors have issued preliminary estimates suggesting that as much as half of roughly $18 billion spent since 2018 may have been fraudulent. Allegations include billing for nonexistent services and the transfer of large sums overseas, with investigators probing whether any funds were diverted to extremist groups operating abroad.[/read]