Omar camp blames Walz, Trump in fraud probe as new claims clash with past statements
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Ilhan Omar’s camp is facing fresh scrutiny after one of her former top staffers defended her against allegations tied to the massive Feeding Our Future scandal while blaming Gov. Tim Walz and President Donald Trump for the fallout.
The controversy escalated after Fox News Digital obtained an email sent by former Omar District Director Kendal Killian to Minnesota House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristin Robbins.
Omar has not publicly responded to the committee’s requests for information tied to the investigation and missed a May 5 deadline to provide records.
Kendal Killian pushes back against MEALS Act criticism
In the email, Killian rejected claims that Omar’s pandemic-era MEALS Act helped create conditions for the fraud scheme, which prosecutors say totaled nearly $250 million.
“Given that you were elected in 2018, I find it surprising that I need to explain to you how a bill becomes law,” Killian wrote to Robbins.
Killian argued that the MEALS Act itself “never even passed” and claimed similar language was folded into the broader Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed during Trump’s administration.
“The fraud was not committed under any bill authored by Omar,” Killian wrote.
Former Ilhan Omar aide shifts blame to Trump and Tim Walz
Killian also attempted to redirect responsibility toward federal and state officials involved in implementing the pandemic programs.
He argued that the broader coronavirus legislation and USDA waivers under Trump’s administration created the conditions that were later exploited in the Feeding Our Future scandal.
“Perhaps the committee should subpoena President Trump rather than Omar," Killian added in the email.
He further criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz while discussing oversight failures tied to the program.
“At the end of the day, it was Governor Walz who [expletive] this up,” Killian wrote.
Old statements create fresh contradictions for Omar camp
The response quickly sparked criticism because both Omar and Killian had previously described the legislation very differently.
In a 2020 press release, Omar said she had “passed into law this spring” provisions from the MEALS Act.
Her campaign website also stated that the bill “was passed into law” through the larger coronavirus relief package.
Killian himself appeared to contradict his latest argument in a LinkedIn post from last year, where he wrote, “When I worked in Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s office during the pandemic, she wrote and passed the MEALS Act.”
Robbins blasted the email and accused Killian of trying to rewrite the bill’s role in the controversy.
Committee still seeks records tied to Feeding Our Future case
The Minnesota committee is still requesting records tied to Omar’s communications and her connections to individuals implicated in the Feeding Our Future scandal.
Lawmakers also requested information related to Omar’s public promotion of Safari Restaurant, which later became linked to the fraud investigation.
After Omar missed the May 5 deadline, Republicans attempted to subpoena her for records connected to the probe. Democrats on the committee later blocked the effort in a party-line vote.
