Walz Responds to Trump’s Remarks
During a meeting of the Budget Committee on Thursday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared that he has faced derogatory comments from passersby at his home following remarks made by former President Donald Trump.
Trump criticized Walz on Truth Social in late November, suggesting that he had a “severe intellectual disability” for not addressing alleged crimes committed by Somalis in Minnesota in light of a welfare fraud issue. Walz expressed his disappointment, noting he hasn’t witnessed any Republican speak out against Trump’s use of such language.
Walz remarked, “I’ve never encountered anything like this. People drive past my house and use the R-word openly. It’s disgraceful. I’ve yet to see a Republican official say, ‘That’s wrong. He shouldn’t have said that.’ So, yes, I’m concerned. We know how this begins—with mocking—and it can escalate to something far worse. It’s alarming.”
He also pointed out that, on a positive note, Minnesota’s budgeting strategies have placed the state in a favorable financial situation. “When it comes to crime, whether related to drugs or fraud, we look at the individual, not just make blanket statements about whole groups,” he added.
In a separate interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Walz avoided accountability for over $1 billion in taxpayer funds that went missing through state programs. He argued against “demonizing” the Somali community, which has been frequently mentioned in federal fraud cases.
Walz emphasized that Minnesota, being generous and prosperous, attracts some criminal activity, but this behavior isn’t limited to any one group. He highlighted the state’s high credit rating as evidence of its solid management.
Reports have indicated some of the misappropriated funds are linked to the Somali terrorist organization al-Shabaab, which has connections to al-Qaeda and previously plotted a significant attack on the U.S.
In a response posted on Saturday, a coalition of Minnesota Department of Human Services employees stated that the governor bears full responsibility for the extensive fraud in the state, alleging a history of retaliation against whistleblowers.
