Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz gave his final State of the State address earlier this week, and his comments on the massive fraud scandal in the state, which came toward the end of his speech, quickly sparked blowback from Republican lawmakers in the state who spoke to Fox News Digital.
„It was ridiculous,“ state Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Minn., chair of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, said about Walz’s comments on the fraud scandal. „He somewhat said, ‘Oh, the buck stops with me,’ but then he immediately pivoted to blame everyone else.“
Walz touted his efforts to crack down on fraud during his speech while claiming that red states have more fraud than blue states and suggesting the legislature needs to do more to adopt his proposal to fight fraud.
„We’ve created additional checks and balances,“ Walz said. „We’ve brought on more investigators, more auditors, more law enforcement agencies, as well as an outside firm to take a look at high-risk programs. People who have ripped us off are getting caught, and they are going to jail, just like today.“
‘INCOMPETENCE OR DERELICTION’: MINNESOTA LAWMAKER RIPS TIM WALZ AS STATE FRAUD LOSSES MOUNT
Walz’s reference to „today“ was in relation to federal raids carried out across Minneapolis earlier that day, which the governor faced criticism over, including from FBI Director Kash Patel, after he seemingly took credit for actions the federal government says it directed and orchestrated.
„Minnesota is consistently ranked as one of the best states to live in because we invest in programs that support children, parents, seniors and people with disabilities,“ Walz said in the speech. „But, as we’ve seen in recent months, and just today, the more generous your support system, the more oversight you need to make sure people aren’t taking unfair advantage.“
Walz pointed to the legislature and called on it to adopt his plan to combat fraud, which Robbins said will do „nothing but create more bureaucracy“ and said the Republican proposals are more „serious“ to actually address the issue.
„He can keep gaslighting people, but nobody buys it anymore,“ Robbins said.
State Sen. Mark Koran, R-Minn., reacted to the speech by telling Fox News Digital, „Governor Walz tried to wallpaper over his legacy by praising his failed policies and massive government expansion.
„The truth is, he leaves behind a legacy of widespread fraud, higher taxes on Minnesota families and a reckless 40% increase in state spending.“
State Sen. Michael Holmstrom, R-Minn., told Fox News Digital the governor treated the speech like a „farewell victory lap,“ but „his record of failed leadership and malfeasance will be his legacy.“
Walz’s speech was blasted by conservatives on social media as well, including the Republican National Committee’s social media account on X, which posted, „INSANE Tim Walz blames Minnesota’s ‘generosity’ for the billions of dollars in fraud he allowed.“
Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for comment.
Minnesota lawmakers unload on Walz’s ‘legacy’ after he touts fraud record in final address: ‘Ridiculous’ 2026 IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2025 2026-05-01 00:43:06 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
