...
By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Mike Lindell has suggested that Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Democratic Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar should be sent to prison over their handling of fraud in Minnesota.
Speaking on Alex Jones' podcast Infowars, Lindell, a Donald Trump supporter who is known for founding the company MyPillow, said "they've all got to go to prison" amid mounting allegations of fraud in the state.
There is no evidence to suggest Walz or Omar is involved in alleged cases of fraud in Minnesota, which have rocked the state in recent weeks.
Read More on Politics
Lindell told Newsweek: "I believe they were involved in all the fraud. At the minimum they let it go on."
Newsweek reached out to Walz and Omar to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
...
Why It Matters
Widespread allegations of fraud in Minnesota have received national attention in recent weeks and have caused problems for Walz, who ended his reelection bid amid the scandal.
Merrick Garland's Department of Justice first uncovered welfare fraud in Minnesota in 2022 with the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, which is estimated to have cost taxpayers some $250 million.
Further instances of alleged fraud have since emerged. In December, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said $9 billion or more in federal funds, allocated to 14 state-run programs since 2018, may have been stolen.
Lindell, who repeatedly claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump, is running for Minnesota Governor. If he wins, he will be able to appoint law enforcement leaders and officials in the state, but cannot directly send someone to jail.
What To Know
Speaking about fraud in the state, Jones asked Lindell what he thought about Keith Ellison, the Minnesota Attorney General, "tampon Tim," a nickname for Walz, and Omar. Newsweek reached out to Ellison by email to comment on this story.
"They've all got to go to prison," Lindell said, alleging Omar's net worth has increased. Omar has previously denied her net worth has increased since joining Congress. He added that Ellison "has attacked me" and that welfare programs should be removed to stop fraud.
"You've got to go right to the top, you've got to to go to Keith Ellison, Walz," he said.
Lindell also told Jones "our Governor should be held liable for all kinds of crimes not just the fraud crime which I believe they're going to uncover that he was a part of." He did not specify what these alleged crimes were.
The embattled Walz faces further scrutiny. On Wednesday, a group of Republicans have launched a bid to impeach Walz, with State Representative Mike Wiener telling Newsweek "the buck stops with him."
Meanwhile, Trump vowed to "get to the bottom" of the alleged fraud in Minnesota during a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
What People Are Saying
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in a statement on January 5: "Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can't spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences."
What Happens Next
The Minnesota gubernatorial election takes place on November 3. More than a dozen Republicans have entered the race but it is unclear who will emerge as a Democratic candidate to replace Walz, after he dropped out of the race.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines