FBI Director Kash Patel publicly corrected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz after the governor attempted to take credit for major fraud raids conducted primarily by federal agents and independent journalists across Minneapolis on April 28, 2026.
Federal Agents Lead Minneapolis Crackdown
Federal agents executed court-authorized search warrants at approximately 20 childcare centers in Minneapolis Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into COVID-era fraud schemes. The Justice Department confirmed the FBI led the operation alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement. No arrests occurred during the initial raids, though officials described the action as a renewed effort to address suspected fraud in Minnesota’s childcare programs. The warrants and any forthcoming charges remain under federal jurisdiction.
Kash Patel calls out Tim Walz for trying to take credit for today’s raids in Minnesota!
Glad he called it out. It’s ridiculous that Walz would even consider passing this off as a joint effort. pic.twitter.com/BTpgMGWuqf
— Red Line News (@RedLineNewsUSA) April 28, 2026
Governor Claims Credit, Director Responds
Walz posted on social media platform X claiming the raids happened because Minnesota state agencies caught irregular behavior and reported it. Patel’s response highlighted that investigative journalists, including Nick Shirley and David Hoch, along with other independent investigators, conducted much of the original investigative work that exposed the fraudulent operations. These journalists documented suspected fake daycare centers operating across multiple states, including Ohio, Idaho, Washington, Maine, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. Their reporting forced authorities to act when evidence became impossible to ignore.
Pattern of Inaction Draws Scrutiny
The incident follows a pattern of delayed response to fraud in Minnesota’s childcare programs despite months of investigative reporting and previous federal crackdowns in the region. Walz, who served as the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, has faced criticism for resisting federal enforcement actions within Minnesota borders. The governor’s attempt to claim credit for an FBI-led operation drew immediate pushback from federal officials who pointed to the independent journalists and federal agents who built the case against the suspected fraud network targeting taxpayer-funded childcare assistance programs established during the COVID pandemic.
