In the News

As first reported by Fox News’ Alexis McAdams, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) today waived on at the House Oversight Committee hearing on Minnesota fraud, where he grilled Attorney General Keith Ellison about his role in enabling billions of dollars to be stolen through fraud in the state. Read the transcript of Whip Emmer’s full line of questioning below. 

Click here to watch Whip Emmer’s full line of questioning.

Whip Emmer: “Thank you, Chairman Comer. And thank you, Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison, for appearing before the committee today. Gentlemen, let’s see if we can agree on one thing today. Today’s hearing is titled ‘Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota.’  Can we agree that this fraud is a serious thing? Governor Walz, yes or no? Can we agree on that?”

Governor Tim Walz: “Yes. Any fraud is serious.”

Whip Emmer: “Thank you, because it’s interesting that you and I agree that it’s a serious thing considering the man sitting next to you, your Attorney General Keith Ellison, said just two months ago: ‘This is a political matter. This is not a serious thing.’ Attorney General Ellison, is there an organized crime ring operating in Minnesota?”

Attorney General Ellison: *No answer.*

Whip Emmer: “I’ll answer for you. Governor Walz believes there is an active crime ring in our state. In October, the governor said: ‘We’ve got an organized crime ring in Minnesota. I think it’s been going on for years.’

“Moving on. Mr. Ellison, I - along with millions of Americans - have grave concerns over your alleged relationships with Somali fraudsters who have since been charged and convicted of federal crimes. I’m sure you are aware that over 90% of the defendants charged in the Feeding Our Future fraud case are of Somali descent. In fact, you have personal knowledge of these people. There is a 54-minute audio tape of your meeting with these criminals in December 2021.

“During your meeting, they complained to you about increased scrutiny of their non-profits, and you told them,‘Of course, I’m here to help.’ It’s on the internet, anyone can listen to you say that. 

“Since then, you claim you were not aware of their crimes in the $250 million Feeding our Future scheme - the largest pandemic fraud case in the nation. But just weeks after your December 2021 meeting, the FBI executed search warrants that you never would have requested, in the Feeding Our Future fraud investigation. 

“Now, let’s fast forward to September of 2022, 10 months after you met with the Somali fraudsters. Your office issued a press release stating, ‘Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and his office have been deeply involved for two years in holding Feeding Our Future accountable.’ So, according to your office, you have been deeply involved in the Feeding Our Future case since September 2020. That sounds like you are saying that at the time of this infamous meeting, you were already aware of the allegations of fraud.

“When you had this meeting in December 2021, did you know, sir, about the long-running FBI investigation into Feeding Our Future, yes or no?”

AG Ellison: “Mr. Chairman, Representative Emmer—”

Whip Emmer:  “Reclaiming my time. When did you personally become aware of the FBI investigation? That’s all I’m asking.”

AG Ellison: “Representative Emmer, as you know, I have addressed this issue many times. I have—”

Whip Emmer: “Alright, reclaiming my time. In that same meeting with the fraudsters, Mr. Attorney General, you took aim at the Minnesota Department of Education. You stated that the Minnesota Department of Education had ‘fought’ the nonprofit in ‘very disgusting ways’ and in ‘a very racist, xenophobic, Islamophobic manner.’ You asked for ‘the names of all these folks who are just hung up’ and offered to call the Minnesota Department of Education to ‘demand some explanations.’ We now know that when you made these comments, the Biden DOJ was working with the Minnesota Department of Education, and that their work exposed the massive fraud ring. Pretty bad look for you, Mr. Attorney General. Either you were oblivious to what was going on under your nose or worse – you were trying to obstruct the work of the Minnesota Department of Education.

“So, I can see that time is getting short. Mr. Chairman, we are left with two questions: One, what did Governor Walz and Keith Ellison know about the fraud? And two, when did they actually know it? If we do not get direct and truthful answers to these questions in this hearing, then they both need to be put under oath in a deposition. 

“This is a serious thing, Mr. Attorney General. You are the only one who thinks protecting taxpayer dollars is political.

“Mr. Ellison, my concern is that you actively obstructed this investigation in exchange for campaign donations - a quid pro quo. If these concerns are proven to be true, you should be disbarred and you should go to jail.”