Minnesota’s child care centers under scrutiny in a viral video are operating normally — but federal and state investigations continue into alleged fraud, amid political pressure from former President Donald Trump and heightened tensions over immigration narratives.
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families issued a definitive statement Friday confirming that nine child care centers at the center of recent fraud allegations were operating as expected during inspections conducted by its Office of Inspector General.
The department’s response directly addressed public concern following a viral video shared by right-wing influencer Nick Shirley, which claimed widespread fraud at Minnesota child care providers. While the video gained traction across conservative online circles, officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for fact-based investigations — not unvetted claims.
Investigators confirmed children were present at all sites except one — which was not yet open for families on the day of inspection. “Children were present at all sites except for one — that site, was not yet open for families for the day when inspectors arrived,” the department stated.
Despite assurances of normal operations, the department maintains active investigations into four of the centers referenced in the video, and 55 broader investigations into providers receiving funding through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which it oversees.
These centers collectively received $17.4 million in CCAP funding during the 2025 fiscal year — money intended to support low-income families accessing quality child care. One facility cited in the video has been closed since 2022.
In direct response to the viral claims, the federal Department of Health and Human Services froze all federal child care payments to Minnesota — a move that halted approximately $2 billion in annual federal aid to the state’s early education system.
Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Monday that the bureau had “surged” investigative resources to Minnesota before the video went viral — signaling a coordinated federal effort to address what officials described as credible threats to the program’s integrity.
The Justice Department has been investigating fraud in Minnesota for years, with a major case involving Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit that allegedly defrauded the government out of $250 million in federal Covid-19 relief funds meant for meals for children.
The scheme, which began in 2022, resulted in criminal charges against 78 individuals — including members of Minnesota’s Somali community. Aimee Bock, a white woman identified as the “mastermind,” was convicted alongside Salim Said in March on counts of wire fraud and other related crimes.
Bock remains unsentenced, while one defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison last month. Prosecutors have called this the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the country — a distinction that underscores the scale of systemic failure.
A state audit released in 2024 found that Minnesota’s Department of Education failed to properly oversee Feeding Our Future — exposing gaps in state-level supervision that may have contributed to the fraud.
Trump administration officials, including former President Donald Trump himself, have repeatedly criticized Minnesota’s child care system — blaming immigrants from Somalia for alleged fraud. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “Much of the Minnesota Fraud, up to 90%, is caused by people that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia.”
He also attacked U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., the first Somali American to serve in Congress, calling her a “loser” and suggesting she should be sent back to Somalia — which he labeled “the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth.”
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States — a community shaped by decades of displacement following civil war in Somalia. Many Somali immigrants arrived seeking refuge and opportunity, building lives and communities across America — including Minnesota.
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families concluded its statement by warning that distribution of unvetted or deceptive claims can interfere with investigations, endanger families and providers, and fuel harmful discourse around immigrant communities — particularly those already facing heightened scrutiny.
“Distribution of unvetted or deceptive claims and misuse of tip lines can interfere with investigations, create safety risks for families, providers, and employers, and has contributed to harmful discourse about Minnesota’s immigrant communities,” the department warned.
While the current investigation into the nine centers continues, the department reaffirmed its commitment to conducting “fact-based reviews that stop fraud.” This message comes amid mounting political pressure — and an urgent need to separate policy from partisan rhetoric.
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