Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who knows a thing or two about corruption accusations, has taken aim at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for seemingly stepping back from running for a third term. Blagojevich’s comments suggest that Walz may have something to hide regarding a significant fraud case, which has caught the attention of several Democrats who are on their way out of office next year.
Walz, a Democrat, announced on Monday that after discussions with his family and advisors, he won’t pursue another term. Blagojevich certainly has his baggage—he was impeached and removed from office in 2009 due to corruption charges, leading to a lengthy prison sentence that President Trump later commuted. Though he’s been pardoned, he still can’t hold public office in Illinois.
In his remarks, Blagojevich mentioned, “It’s not uncommon for me to be accused of misconduct,” stressing the importance of fighting back against such claims. “Even if you didn’t do it, the honorable thing is to fight. Go to battle if you have to.” He also outright questioned Walz’s decision to step down, wondering if it’s an indication that Walz is involved in the alleged $9 billion fraud linked to Somalia.
Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for a comment on Blagojevich’s accusations, as discussions around a recent Twitter exchange gained traction where X CEO Elon Musk criticized the governor. Musk’s reaction stemmed from a meme suggesting Walz replaced the Minnesota flag with the Somali flag, which he condemned, dubbing Walz “Traitor Tim.”
There have been ongoing discussions about the new Minnesota flag, adopted in 2024. Its design, which includes stars on a blue background, was implemented following protests regarding the old flag’s portrayal of Native Americans. Designers insisted that the similarities to Somalia’s flag were purely coincidental.
Since becoming more vocal again, Blagojevich has commented on various topics, including recent criticisms of his successor, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who he accused of attacking the Trump administration. He pointed out that actions like the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro should not be politicized and should be viewed strictly as law enforcement matters.
In a somewhat unexpected turn, Blagojevich also expressed support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who remarked that mass immigration could be seen as a way to “replace native-born voters.” Blagojevich connected this idea to Democrats’ strategies in the U.S., feeling it resonates with his own experiences as a former Democratic governor.
