MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday morning at 11 a.m., where he is expected to announce his decision to drop out of the 2026 race for a third term, according to multiple reports citing political insiders.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure on Walz, who has faced intense scrutiny over a series of fraud scandals involving Minnesota's Somali community. Walz's office confirmed the press conference but provided limited details, stating only that the governor wishes to discuss “the news of the day.” Hours after the announcement, political insider Blois Olson reported that Walz was set to address his political future and would “likely drop out of the 2026 race.” Olson added that Walz met with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar on Sunday to discuss the decision, according to a local Fox affiliate.
Speculation has swirled that Klobuchar, a prominent Democrat, could step in to replace Walz in the gubernatorial race. Walz, a Democrat who has served as governor since 2019, was the party's nominee for vice president in the 2024 election alongside Kamala Harris. His potential withdrawal marks a dramatic turn for a politician who, just over a year ago, was at the center of national Democratic politics.
The scandals at the heart of the controversy involve allegations of widespread fraud by members of Minnesota's Somali community, which has grown significantly in recent decades. According to court records and reports from alternative media outlets, fraudsters have allegedly defrauded American taxpayers of tens of billions of dollars through scams targeting federally subsidized programs. These include food assistance, healthcare centers, daycare facilities, and what have been described as “learing” centers — a possible misspelling or reference to learning centers funded by public money.
Minnesota's Somali community, one of the largest in the United States, has been a key demographic for Democrats. The community reportedly funnels millions of dollars into local and national Democratic campaign coffers and votes reliably for the party. Democrats have held statewide office in Minnesota for decades, with Walz at the helm for the past seven years. Questions have arisen about whether local officials were aware of the fraud and failed to act, possibly due to political considerations. Some reports suggest the fraud may have been facilitated or overlooked in exchange for votes and contributions, though no direct evidence has been presented against Walz or other officials.
“Did they look the way in exchange for those votes and campaign contributions? Did they help facilitate the fraud? The most charitable view — one I personally don’t buy — is blazing incompetence,” wrote John Nolte in a Breitbart analysis of the situation.
Walz's handling of the scandals has drawn criticism for being ineffective. Initially, he accused those raising concerns about the fraud of promoting “white supremacy.” He then promised to import more Somali migrants, a move seen by critics as defiant. Later, Walz attributed the scandal to political motivations and labeled Nick Shirley, a citizen journalist who uncovered much of the alleged fraud in a matter of days, as a “delusional conspiracy theorist.”
Shirley, an independent reporter, gained attention for his rapid investigations into the fraud schemes. His work, shared through alternative media channels, highlighted discrepancies in funding for community programs and prompted further scrutiny. Officials have not confirmed the full extent of Shirley's findings, but the reports have fueled public outrage and calls for accountability.
The scandals have broader implications for Minnesota's Democratic leadership, which has dominated the state's politics for years. A related Breitbart article by Mehek Cooke argued that “Tim Walz Needs to Resign over Massive Minnesota Fraud,” pointing to the governor's role in overseeing state agencies implicated in the mismanagement. Cooke detailed how federal funds intended for vulnerable populations were allegedly diverted, exacerbating tensions in a state already grappling with budget strains.
Walz has also faced personal backlash. In a separate incident, he claimed that people driving by his house were calling him “Retarded,” warning that such actions could lead to “violence.” This statement, reported in another Breitbart piece, underscored the heated atmosphere surrounding the governor amid the unfolding controversies.
Background on the Somali migration to Minnesota dates back to the 1990s, when the state became a hub for refugees fleeing civil war in Somalia. Programs supported by federal and state governments have aided integration, but critics argue that oversight has been lax, allowing fraudulent activities to proliferate. The current scandals reportedly involve schemes that exploited these programs, with court documents outlining cases of embezzlement and false claims totaling billions.
Political observers note that in a pre-2016 political landscape, such stories might have faded from view due to limited media coverage. However, the rise of alternative media has kept the issue alive. With Donald Trump returning to the White House in January 2025, some speculate that federal investigations could intensify. Trump has vowed to target what he calls corrupt elements in government and nonprofit sectors, potentially extending to welfare programs like those implicated here.
John Nolte, in his Breitbart column, suggested that the Somali fraud case could unravel larger networks within the Democratic Party and associated organizations. “Trump intends to dismantle the criminal organization that is the SorosAcademiaCorporateMediaWelfareStateNGODemocratParty, and that means running down every aspect of the Somali fraud case,” Nolte wrote. While this view reflects a conservative perspective, it highlights the potential for national repercussions if the allegations prove true.
Democratic leaders in Minnesota have not publicly commented on Walz's potential exit, but the party's control of the state legislature and key offices could be at risk if voter trust erodes. The 2026 gubernatorial race is seen as crucial for maintaining Democratic dominance in a swing state that played a pivotal role in recent national elections.
As Walz prepares for his press conference at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, the eyes of political watchers are on what he will say. If confirmed, his departure would open the field for other Democrats, with Klobuchar's name surfacing as a possible contender. The scandals, meanwhile, continue to unfold, with ongoing investigations by state and federal authorities expected to provide more clarity in the coming months.
The situation underscores the challenges facing governors in managing complex social and fiscal issues. Minnesota, known for its progressive policies on immigration and welfare, now confronts questions about the effectiveness of those systems. Regardless of Walz's announcement, the fraud allegations are likely to persist, shaping the narrative for the 2026 elections and beyond.