Petition calling for Tim Walz’s resignation draws thousands of signatures

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: A petition urging the resignation of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has gathered tens of thousands of signatures, with critics accusing his administration of failing to prevent widespread fraud in state programs. The growing online campaign reflects mounting political pressure as Republicans intensify criticism over ongoing investigations tied to misuse of public funds.

The petition, hosted on Change.org, had received more than 47,000 signatures as of Wednesday, December 31. It accuses state leadership of oversight failures and calls for accountability following a series of high-profile fraud cases.

Petition against Tim Walz gains traction amid criticism

The petition demanding that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz step down has continued to gain traction online, drawing tens of thousands of supporters.

The petition also calls for the resignation of several other state officials, citing economic strain and oversight failures linked to fraud cases, including the widely reported 'Feeding Our Future' scandal.

“It is time for new leadership that can deliver on promises and rebuild the connection between government and its constituents, ensuring transparency, integrity, and progress for all Minnesotans,” the petition states.

Walz, who served as the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee in 2024, has faced growing calls from Republican leaders to step aside.

Five Republican lawmakers from the Minnesota House and Senate issued a joint statement on Sunday, December 28, saying, “For the good of the state, Gov. Walz should step aside.”

Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn also weighed in, writing on X on Monday, “It's absurd for @Tim_Walz to dismiss the corruption that happened right under his nose. He should resign. Minnesotans deserve better.”

Minnesota welfare fraud cases cost taxpayers millions

In 2022, the Department of Justice uncovered widespread welfare fraud in Minnesota, describing the defendants as individuals who “exploited the pandemic for personal gain and stole from American taxpayers.”

Nearly 90 people have been charged with defrauding state and federal assistance programs tied to nutrition, healthcare, and housing. In one case alone, 57 guilty pleas and convictions were secured.

The scheme involved a Minnesota nonprofit accused of falsely claiming reimbursements for hundreds of millions of meals that were never served. Estimated losses to taxpayers range between $250 million and $1 billion.

Most defendants were reported to be of East African descent and linked to Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community, the largest in the United States.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on Sunday that the agency had deployed personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to “dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs."

Tim Walz defends record and points to fraud prevention measures

Walz’s office previously told Newsweek that the governor had taken sustained action to combat fraud and strengthen oversight.

“The Governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and asked the state legislature for more authority to take aggressive action,” the statement said.

His office added that Walz had launched investigations into specific facilities, closed one program, hired an outside firm to audit high-risk payments, shut down the Housing Stabilization Services program, appointed a statewide program integrity director, and supported criminal prosecutions.