Vice President JD Vance says a growing welfare fraud investigation in Minnesota exposes deep failures in government oversight and raises concerns about a broader national scheme exploiting taxpayer-funded programs. The issue gained renewed attention after Vance publicly called for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to resign, citing what federal investigators estimate to be at least $9 billion in fraudulent activity tied to welfare programs.
Speaking Wednesday on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Vance tied the Minnesota case to a wider federal probe underway under President Trump. “Anybody who is involved is going to get prosecuted,” Vance said. The administration has paused more than $10 billion in federal funding to five Democrat-run states, including California, over concerns that welfare funds were improperly distributed to noncitizens.
Vance directly addressed Walz’s leadership as the investigation continues. “I think Tim Walz should resign,” Vance told Fox News host Jesse Watters. “I almost feel bad for the guy, except for the fact that he should’ve seen this.” Walz announced Monday he will not seek re-election.
The vice president described the Minnesota case as a “massive failure of government,” emphasizing that the issue goes beyond improper payments. “It’s not just that people are getting welfare who shouldn’t get welfare. … It’s bigger than that,” Vance said. “It’s that people take this money and create whole businesses around siphoning money from the American taxpayer.”
Vance warned that similar welfare fraud schemes may surface nationwide and singled out California as a state drawing federal scrutiny. He said investigators are being dispatched to “a lot of places.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office rejected the allegations, stating that welfare-related programs are essential and closely monitored. “The State of California aggressively investigates and prosecutes fraud,” the statement said, criticizing the funding pause as harmful to working families.
