02.04.2026
“What happened in Minnesota is as bad as it gets.”
Prepared Opening Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
Somali Scammers: Fighting Fraud in Minnesota and Beyond
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Senator Cruz, thank you for chairing this important subcommittee hearing.
During my career, I’ve exposed waste, fraud and abuse within many government programs.
At the end of last year, the American people learned of shocking and sophisticated fraud schemes in Minnesota.
Billions of taxpayer dollars may have been lost to crime.
What happened in Minnesota is as bad as it gets.
These fraud schemes have targeted federal programs designed to help children with autism, the elderly and small businesses.
It’s deplorable that fraudsters would target programs designed to help Americans struggling to take care of their children and families.
It’s also deplorable that the Walz administration allegedly retaliated against whistleblowers who tried to expose this fraud.
If true, such retaliation can’t go unpunished.
In large-scale fraud schemes like these, whistleblowers are the public’s greatest assets and allies.
Congress, federal agencies and state agencies must protect these whistleblowers.
And the executive branch must hold criminals fully accountable to the law.
That’s why, in January, I wrote to nearly 10 agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FBI, regarding the allegations.
This is about accountability.
I want to know what...
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