NEW: Democrats Rage After Karoline Leavitt Exposes The Reality About Minnesota
Democrats are fuming after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a blunt assessment of what the Trump administration says is widespread fraud in Minnesota, vowing that federal investigations will continue relentlessly despite resistance from state leaders.
Leavitt’s remarks came amid escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic officials in Minnesota, as federal immigration enforcement and fraud investigations converge in the state. Her comments sharply criticized Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis officials, and prominent Democrats for what she described as an effort to distract from massive taxpayer fraud.
“What the president is referring to is the fact that you have Governor Walz and again the mayor who have been encouraging these left-wing agitators to come out and to harass and to dox and to threaten ICE and to make this conversation about and smear lies about federal law enforcement who again are just trying to do their jobs in an attempt to distract from the widespread massive fraud that has taken place in their state,” Leavitt said on Monday.
She continued, “Billions and billions of dollars has been stolen from law-abiding taxpayers in Minnesota, and the administration continues to be very focused on getting to the bottom of it, especially, and the President raised a good question over the weekend, with respect to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who now has a net worth within the millions, and one must ask themselves, why and how is that possible?”
Leavitt added that the administration believes questions surrounding Minnesota’s political leadership and alleged fraud networks deserve answers.
“Is she connected to the fraud rings that we have seen taking place within her state and her own district?” Leavitt asked. “It’s a question the American people are raising, and the President believes it’s one worth answering.”
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The comments sparked immediate backlash from Democrats, who accused the administration of politicizing immigration enforcement and targeting Minnesota officials. However, the White House has framed its actions as a necessary response to crime, fraud, and obstruction by local leaders.
On Monday, President Donald Trump announced a notable shift in relations with Gov. Walz, revealing that the Democratic governor had reached out to cooperate on federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.
Trump said he informed Walz that Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, would be sent to Minnesota to oversee enforcement operations focused on criminal activity.
“I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession,” Trump said. “The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I!”
The administration has pointed to crime reductions in other cities where federal task forces have operated, including Washington, D.C., Memphis, and New Orleans, as justification for expanding the effort.
Despite the apparent cooperation, Minnesota officials have continued to push back. State Attorney General Keith Ellison was in court Monday seeking to limit federal enforcement actions tied to Operation Metro Surge, which has deployed thousands of agents to Minneapolis.
The standoff has been further complicated by violence connected to the operation. On Jan. 24, 37-year-old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a clash in south Minneapolis. The incident has fueled protests, legal challenges, and renewed debate over the federal government’s role in local law enforcement.
For the Trump administration, however, Leavitt made clear that protests and political pressure will not deter ongoing investigations.
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