Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sharply accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of assisting individuals involved in what lawmakers have described as one of the largest public fraud schemes in the state’s history, alleging during a contentious Senate hearing that Ellison helped “fraudsters defraud the state of $9 billion” and benefited politically from campaign donations tied to the case.
OMG 🚨 Sparks fly as Josh Hawley rips Minnesota Keith Ellison to shreds for taking money to look other way in the "Feeding our future scam"
— J (@JayTC53) February 12, 2026
"Why did you take their money, this is what accountability looks like and YOU have had NONE! You helped fraudsters in your state! You… pic.twitter.com/AI7PZ0GKnD
The heated exchange centered on a sprawling fraud investigation that includes the $250 million Feeding Our Future scheme, in which federal prosecutors allege that nonprofit leaders and associates exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities have described the case as the largest pandemic-related fraud uncovered in Minnesota, with dozens of individuals charged and millions of dollars allegedly diverted from programs intended to feed low-income children.
Hawley began by pressing Ellison on his role as Minnesota’s chief law enforcement officer, repeatedly asking him to confirm his position under oath. After Ellison declined to directly answer, Hawley pivoted to the broader fraud investigation.
“Are you familiar with the $9 billion in historic fraud out of your state, including the $250 million in the Feeding Our Future program?” Hawley asked. Ellison responded that he was familiar with the matter.
Hawley then accused Ellison of meeting with individuals connected to the Feeding Our Future organization on Dec. 11, 2021, at the state Capitol, claiming they sought help in pushing back against state investigators. Hawley asserted that the meeting was recorded and quoted Ellison as saying, “Send me the names of these folks investigating you,” and, “Let’s go fight these people,” referring to investigators.
“They BEGGED you to help them — and YOU AGREED TO IT! It’s ALL ON TAPE,” Hawley said. “Why’d you do it? Why’d you help them?”
Ellison pushed back, accusing Hawley of selectively quoting the conversation. “You’re cherry-picking quotes. I didn’t help them,” he said.
Hawley escalated his criticism, alleging that Ellison accepted $10,000 in campaign contributions from individuals later indicted in the case nine days after the meeting. “You helped fraudsters defraud the state of $9 billion, and you got a fat campaign contribution out of it. You ought to be indicted,” Hawley said.
The broader Feeding Our Future case has drawn national attention because of the scale of the alleged fraud and the vulnerability of the programs involved. Federal authorities have charged numerous defendants, alleging they created shell companies, submitted fraudulent reimbursement claims for meals that were never served, and laundered proceeds through shell entities and overseas accounts. Prosecutors have said the funds were intended to support children during pandemic-related school closures.
“You have been at the center of this, and you enabled it. You should resign,” Hawley said.
Ellison disputed the timeline and the senator’s account of his office’s involvement. The exchange concluded with Ellison rejecting Hawley’s sequence of events and the allegations of wrongdoing.
The confrontation underscored ongoing scrutiny over Minnesota’s handling of pandemic-era fraud and highlighted broader partisan tensions over accountability for large-scale misuse of public funds.
