James Comer says Minnesota Gov Tim Walz must testify in fraud probe or face 'admission of guilt'

WASHINGTON, DC: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer escalated pressure on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Sunday, January 4, issuing a blunt warning that any refusal to testify about the state’s sweeping welfare-fraud scandal would be treated as an “admission of guilt.”

Appearing on 'The Sunday Briefing', the Kentucky Republican said that he expects Walz to comply with the committee’s demand, arguing that skipping the hearing would be politically indefensible given the national attention now fixed on the alleged misuse of millions in taxpayer funds earmarked for child care and nutrition programs.

James Comer summons Tim Walz and Keith Ellison to testify

Comer stressed that Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison - who has also been summoned - are fully aware of what is expected of them, having both previously served in Congress.

“We’ve asked not only Gov Walz, but also Attorney General Ellison, both of whom were in Congress… so they know the rules of Congress,” Comer said. “They know how serious this is… so they will have to show up and defend themselves.”

The Oversight chairman framed the testimony as a chance to explain how the alleged fraud ballooned under their watch. He warned that dodging the hearing would only fuel suspicions that state leaders are concealing failures tied to the breakdown of oversight.

James Comer signals confrontational hearing with new evidence

The Wednesday hearing is expected to be confrontational, with Comer signaling that new evidence could be unveiled to aid ongoing Justice Department investigations. He alleged that some entities under scrutiny may already be attempting to obstruct probes.

“We’re getting reports that many of these daycares are changing their names, and they’re having break-ins and mysteriously losing their files and everything else,” Comer claimed.

He cited viral footage from independent journalist Nick Shirley showing allegedly inactive facilities still receiving government funds.

While critics have argued that some videos were filmed outside operating hours, Comer dismissed those defenses and vowed that the committee would “stay on top of this,” adding that “more arrests” could follow as evidence becomes public.

Tim Walz admits accountability in fraud scandal 

Walz previously acknowledged the gravity of the scandal, conceding that the fraud occurred “on my watch” and stating that he is “accountable” for fixing the system.

His administration has reportedly paused payments to certain providers and commissioned a third-party audit of Medicaid billing through the Department of Human Services.

A spokesperson for the governor said Walz has “worked for years to crack down on fraud” and pushed lawmakers for expanded enforcement authority, insisting he has strengthened oversight mechanisms.

Despite those assurances, pressure from Washington is intensifying.