Mike Lawler demands 'arrests and accountability' for Tim Walz after viral Minnesota daycare video

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, on Friday, December 26, called for congressional hearings and testimony from Minnesota Gov Tim Walz following allegations of widespread fraud involving the state’s taxpayer-funded child care programs.

Lawler’s demand followed the release of a viral investigation by journalist and YouTuber Nick Shirley, who alleged extensive misuse of public funds within Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program.

Shirley’s reporting has circulated widely online, prompting renewed scrutiny from Republican lawmakers over state oversight of social services spending.

Mike Lawler goes after Tim Walz

Lawler addressed the allegations in a post on X, calling for accountability from state leadership.

"Folks need to be arrested and prosecuted and the Governor of Minnesota needs to be held accountable," Lawler wrote while sharing footage from Shirley’s investigation.

He said Congress should move quickly to examine how the funds were administered.

"Congress should hold a hearing immediately and start getting answers," Lawler added.

The 'Quality Learning Center' scandal

Shirley’s investigation centered on the Quality Learning Center, a daycare facility located in downtown Minneapolis and licensed to care for up to 99 children.

According to Shirley, the center received about $1.9 million in funding through the Child Care Assistance Program during fiscal year 2025.

He claimed total payments to the facility approached $4 million over multiple years. Shirley said that despite the funding levels, the center appeared largely inactive during his visit.

"There’s no one here," Shirley said in the video, pointing to what he described as minimal activity at the location.

Uncovering $110M in 'one day'

Shirley described the facility as one example within a broader pattern, claiming his team identified more than $110 million in questionable payments within 24 hours.

The allegations align with previous reports suggesting large-scale fraud in social services programs in the Twin Cities area, with estimates placing potential losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, also commented on the issue.

"4 million dollars of hard earned tax dollars going to an education center that can’t even spell learning correctly," Emmer wrote on X, tagging Gov Walz. "Care to explain this one?"

A tense confrontation

Shirley’s reporting drew a hostile response during his visit to the daycare facility.

In the video, a woman can be heard shouting warnings to prevent access to the building, repeatedly telling others not to open the door.

Shirley said the reaction underscored the sensitivity surrounding investigations into alleged fraud, but continued filming and questioning.

Minnesota state officials have not publicly responded to the specific allegations raised in Shirley’s video.