Citizen journalists are exposing what appears to be a widespread pattern of taxpayer-funded daycare fraud involving Somali-run facilities—not just in Minnesota, but across multiple U.S. states. The investigations, largely driven by independent reporters on platforms like X and TikTok, suggest the alleged abuse of state-funded childcare programs has been replicated by Somali communities in states including Washington, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
The viral exposé began with Minnesota-based journalist Nick Shirley, who published videos documenting suspicious activity—or lack thereof—at Minneapolis-area daycare centers receiving substantial taxpayer funding. Now, similar cases are surfacing across the country.
In Washington State, citizen investigator Carleen Johnson visited a registered daycare provider in Federal Way but found no children present. Another social media user uncovered that Somali nationals have registered 539 daycare centers in Washington alone. Even at minimal funding levels, these operations could amount to more than $755 million in state payouts annually, raising alarms among taxpayers and watchdogs.
Meanwhile, Seattle’s far-left mayor-elect, Katie Wilson, has expressed vocal support for the Somali community. This comes amid resurfaced footage of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, pledging at a Washington State fundraiser to increase Somali immigration to the U.S. Walz’s remarks are now drawing criticism in light of the growing scandal.
In Ohio, independent journalists have captured footage outside suspicious daycare locations in Columbus, with some buildings showing no signs of legitimate childcare activity. Google Maps entries for registered daycare providers similarly reveal empty lots or unconvincing façades. Other reports point to Somali-affiliated groups in Ohio contributing thousands of dollars to Democrat politicians through campaign donations.
In Pennsylvania and Maine, online sleuths are raising parallel concerns, noting a pattern of empty or inactive daycare centers receiving funding, sometimes in connection with political or community organizations.
Social media users are also revisiting statements by Gov. Walz during his failed 2024 vice-presidential bid. In debates with now–Vice President JD Vance, Walz promised to make it easier for individuals to access taxpayer-funded daycare subsidies—a policy critics now see as enabling widespread fraud.
As the evidence mounts, questions grow over how far the network of abuse may stretch, how much taxpayer money has been lost, and why Democrat officials continue to support expanding programs that may be exploited.
