More than 400 employees of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) accused Gov. Tim Walz of failing to act on widespread fraud warnings and retaliating against whistleblowers.

The Minnesota Department of Human Service Employees account, which says it consists of more than 480 current staff members at the Minnesota DHS, wrote on X that Walz is «100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota.»

«We let Tim Walz know of fraud early on, hoping for a partnership in stopping fraud but no, we got the opposite response. Tim Walz systematically retaliated against whistleblowers using monitoring, threats, repression, and did his best to discredit fraud reports,» the group claimed. «In addition to retaliating against whistleblower[s], Tim Walz disempowered the Office of the Legislative Auditor, allowing agencies to disregard their audit findings and guidance.»

Walz’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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The group’s claims come as federal prosecutors continue to unravel one of the nation’s largest COVID-era fraud cases.

The Justice Department announced new charges last week against the 78th defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which prosecutors say involved more than $250 million in stolen funds from a federally-funded child nutrition program and has already resulted in over 50 convictions. Many of the individuals charged come from Minnesota’s Somali community.

The New York Times reported that what initially appeared to many Minnesotans as an isolated case of pandemic-era fraud has broadened into a much wider concern for state and federal officials.

The Times reported that over the past five years, according to law enforcement authorities, several fraud schemes proliferated in parts of Minnesota’s Somali community. A number of individuals allegedly created companies that billed state agencies for millions of dollars’ worth of social services that were never delivered. 

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A street sign for «Somali St» is pictured with Riverside Plaza in the background in Minneapolis’ Cedar–Riverside neighborhood. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)

The Manhattan Institute’s City Journal also alleged in a report, citing unnamed federal counterterrorism sources, that some stolen funds were transferred to Somalia and may have ended up with the terror group Al-Shabaab, though none of the federal charges in the fraud cases include any link to terrorism.

Walz addressed the fraud at a press conference last week, saying it «undermines trust in government,» and «undermines programs that are absolutely critical in improving quality of life.»

«If you’re committing fraud, no matter where you come from, what you look like, what you believe, you are going to go to jail,» Walz said.

Walz faced a question about the situation on NBC’s «Meet the Press» on Sunday, when host Kristen Welker pressed him on the allegations and asked him if he takes responsibility for failing to stop the fraud in his state.

President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. On Friday Walz called for a «shadow government» to provide Americans with the truth about the Trump administration’s actions.  (Getty Images)

«Well, certainly, I take responsibility for putting people in jail,» the governor responded. 

«I will note, it’s not just Somalis. Minnesota is a generous state. Minnesota is a prosperous state, a well-run state. We’re AAA-bond rated. But that attracts criminals. Those people are going to jail. We’re doing everything we can. But to demonize an entire community on the actions of a few, it’s lazy,» he said.

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Trump said in a Nov. 21 Truth Social post that he would be terminating the temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota, citing «fraudulent money laundering activity.» 

«Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!» he wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon as he stands trial on corruption and fraud charges — weeks after President Donald Trump sent his own letter urging clemency.

Netanyahu emphasized concern over public division in his request. While explicitly not admitting guilt, he wrote the pardon would allow him to «reconcile the national rift» and «lower the flames» in the arguments surrounding his trial.

Herzog’s office released a statement Sunday saying it has received Netanyahu’s formal pardon request, calling it «extraordinary» and acknowledging that it carries «significant implications.»

The request, in accordance with guidelines and procedures, was being transferred to the Pardons Department in the Ministry of Justice, which will gather opinions from relevant authorities on the matter, the president’s office said.

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The opinions will then be sent to the legal advisor in the Office of the President, who will formulate an additional opinion for Herzog.

«After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the President will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,» Herzog’s office said in the statement.

President Isaac Herzog is welcomed with a full military guard of honor upon his arrival, marking the first state visit by an Israeli head of state, at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia, Oct. 10, 2025. (Reuters/Moses Mwape)

Netanyahu is currently standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases. The trial, which began in 2020, marked the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister testified as a criminal defendant.

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Earlier this month, Trump urged Herzog to consider fully pardoning Netanyahu in a letter. Trump wrote that Netanyahu has been a «formidable and decisive» leader for Israel in a time of war and has led Israel «into a time of peace.»

President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House for a meeting on April 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

Trump wrote that while he «absolutely» respects the independence of the Israeli judicial system, he believes the case against Netanyahu is a «political, unjustified prosecution.»

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Trump had previously urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu during a speech in the Israeli Knesset in October.

Fox News’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.

New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick made waves earlier this week when she stated illegal immigration by foreign nationals in the U.S. is a «civil issue» and that therefore her agency will not enforce certain immigration laws — but would respond when ensuring public safety and that those involved in a federal operation are «not going to get hurt.»

Kirkpatrick made the remarks at a press conference marking the end of a 15-year consent decree between the city and federal government, after then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu invited the Obama Justice Department to probe the agency for alleged «pattern or practice» of civil rights-related misconduct.

During press questions, Kirkpatrick responded to one reporter by saying that to «be in the country undocumented is (a) civil issue.»

«We will not enforce civil law, and so our support is to make sure they’re not going to get hurt and our community is not in danger,» Kirkpatrick said.

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«Am I expecting them to come?» she said. «Yes, I’m expecting them to come. But can I tell you they’re coming Friday? No, I can’t tell you that.» 

«If they call for help because they say they’re going to be hurt. We are going to be there in order to help anyone in danger. We are not enforcing — because we can’t.»

Kirkpatrick’s comments swiftly went viral on social media, with critics — largely from the right — lambasting her for claiming her agency cannot enforce certain immigration laws.

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Commentator Chaya Raichik, better known as «LibsOfTikTok,» also responded to the superintendent’s comments.

«Anne Kirkpatrick… says that illegally invading the U.S. is a ‘civil issue’ and her police force ‘will not enforce the law.’»

«Illegally invading the country is a crime. This is who is in charge of the police.»

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«This is Law Enforcement 101. Every American knows this,» conservative commentator David Harris Jr. tweeted separately.

Florida journalist Eric Daugherty responded to a clip of Kirkpatrick, writing: «False. It is a crime.»

«How can you be the leader of a major police force and not know this? Arrest and deport. No exceptions,» Daugherty said.

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Louisiana Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill commented below Daugherty’s message, saying that she spoke directly to Kirkpatrick about her comments.

«It is a state crime to obstruct ICE and federal immigration enforcement. Law enforcement should enforce the law,» Murrill said.

In response to Murrill, several other critics reamed Kirkpatrick for being in charge of the New Orleans Police Department the night a man mowed down revelers ahead of the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, suggesting there were preventative measures on Bourbon Street, including installation of bollards and hardened temporary infrastructure, that were missed.

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Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick answers questions from the New Orleans City Council. (New Orleans City Council)

Other critics cited 8 U.S. Code 1325, which criminalizes «improper entry by (an) alien.» That section describes how it is a criminal act to elude immigration inspection, provide false documentation or enter the U.S. illegally outside a port of entry.

Kirkpatrick’s reference to civil law referenced the fact there is a section in the code under the Immigration & Naturalization Act that says being unlawfully present in the U.S. for a visa overstay or other infraction is indeed civil, not criminal.

«Inadmissible aliens,» as described in law, also can face civil removal proceedings under 8 USC 1227 and 8 USC 1182.

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In a separate statement, Murrill said she fully expects «all law enforcement and local officials will not obstruct federal authorities and will enforce state law to protect people and property.»

«I support ICE operations that ensure violent criminals are removed and ensure legal immigration policies are respected and followed,» she added.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the New Orleans Police Department for comment.

An official who picked up the phone indicated they would seek out the proper official to pass along any comment, but the inquiry was not returned.