Trump administration officials have signaled increased scrutiny of Minnesota over allegations of widespread fraud, with particular attention on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. At a press briefing, Karoline Leavitt highlighted the president’s question about Omar’s reported net worth, suggesting a possible connection to alleged fraud schemes in the state and her district. “The president also raised a question over the weekend with respect to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who now has a net worth in the millions. One must ask themselves why and how that is possible. Is she connected to the fraud rings that we have seen taking place within her state and her own district? It’s a question the American people are raising, and the president believes it’s one worth answering,” Leavitt said.
Reporter: The President posted this is a coverup of the fraud. He also posted Minnesota is coverup. What is the coverup?
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 26, 2026
Leavitt: They are encouraging left-wing agitators to harass ICE and to smear lies about law enforcement in an attempt to distract from the widespread fraud pic.twitter.com/KWFelH7fjX
Leavitt framed the president’s comments as part of a broader concern over what he views as a cover-up of fraud in Minnesota. She explained that President Trump posted statements over the weekend claiming the state’s officials were attempting to obscure illegal activity, following a recent shooting incident. “So this weekend the president posted that this is a cover-up of the fraud in the state of Minnesota. He also posted, ‘Minnesota is a cover-up.’ These both happened after the shooting. So given these came after the shooting, what is the cover-up he’s alleging? Yes, it’s a good question. I’ve spoken with the president about this at length,” Leavitt said.
According to Leavitt, the president’s concern centers on state and local officials allegedly encouraging protests and harassment against federal authorities in order to deflect attention from massive fraud. “What the president is referring to is the fact that you have Governor Walz and, again, the mayor, who have been encouraging these left-wing agitators to come out and harass, doxx, and threaten ICE, and to make this conversation about smearing lies about federal law enforcement, who are just trying to do their jobs, in an attempt to distract from the widespread massive fraud that has taken place in their state,” she said. Leavitt added that billions of dollars have been stolen from law-abiding taxpayers and that the administration remains focused on investigating the matter.
The president is sending Tom Homan, White House Border Czar, to Minnesota to assist in assessing the situation. Trump’s Truth Social post said Homan “has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.” Trump also cited a broader investigation into what he described as a $20 billion welfare fraud in Minnesota, linking it to organized protests and claiming it is at least partially responsible for local unrest. In his post, president Trump said the Department of Justice and Congress are examining Omar’s financial gains, noting that she arrived from Somalia with little and now reportedly has a net worth exceeding $44 million.
Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength. I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 26, 2026
Leavitt emphasized that the administration’s focus on these issues is part of a wider effort to hold local and state officials accountable and ensure federal resources are not being obstructed or undermined. The comments frame the ongoing federal scrutiny of Minnesota as a central concern for the White House, highlighting questions over the legality of local practices and the origins of significant financial discrepancies in the state.
