Trump claims Minnesota fraud is being ignored as ICE faces ‘too much media attention’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump argued Monday, January 19, that federal immigration enforcement is being unfairly scrutinized while large-scale fraud cases in Minnesota are receiving far less public attention, as his administration moved to challenge a court ruling limiting ICE operations in the state.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said ICE agents are being portrayed negatively despite, in his words, removing “some of the worst murderers and criminals in the World,” while alleged fraud involving billions of dollars in Minnesota has not drawn comparable outrage or media focus.

Trump targets scrutiny of ICE amid court battle

Trump made the comments just hours after his administration appealed a federal judge’s decision that restricts ICE agents from detaining peaceful protesters, using tear gas, or retaliating against individuals observing enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

“There is too much media attention on ICE, who have removed some of the worst murderers and criminals in the World, people let into our Country by Crooked Joe Biden’s horrendous Open Border Policy,” the commander-in-chief wrote.

He contrasted that coverage with what he described as insufficient focus on “the staggering sums of money stolen from the State by corrupt Minnesota politicians.”

The appeal follows weeks of unrest in Minnesota after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good during an enforcement operation, sparking widespread protests and legal action by local leaders and civil liberties groups. 

A federal judge ruled that ICE must limit certain crowd-control tactics while the case proceeds, prompting pushback from the Trump administration.

Fraud investigations loom over Minnesota politicians

On Sunday, Trump singled out Democratic Rep Ilhan Omar in a post and claimed she “knows everything there is to know” about Somali-linked fraud schemes that have resulted in at least 57 convictions so far.

The largest of those cases involves the “Feeding Our Future” scandal, a pandemic-era fraud scheme in which defendants are accused of stealing millions in federal nutrition funds intended for children. State and federal investigations remain ongoing.

Several Minnesota politicians are said to have previously accepted campaign donations from individuals later charged in the case, including former state Rep John Thompson, former Senate candidate Sahra Odowa, and state Rep. Mohamud Noor, who later returned the funds.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep Omar also reportedly received donations from people later implicated; those contributions were either returned or redirected to charity.

While multiple political figures in Minnesota, including Gov Tim Walz, have faced pressure over oversight failures connected to the fraud cases, no elected official has been charged with direct involvement.

In the past, Walz has repeatedly rejected claims of involvement and vowed action.

Prosecutors have focused primarily on nonprofit operators and individuals accused of orchestrating the schemes.

Anti-ICE protests continue

Meanwhile, protests over ICE activity continue across Minnesota, fueled by the shooting of Good and allegations of aggressive enforcement tactics.

Civil liberties groups argue ICE has engaged in unconstitutional detentions and excessive force, while the administration maintains agents are operating lawfully under difficult conditions.

The Trump administration’s appeal argues that the judge’s restrictions interfere with law enforcement’s ability to maintain public safety amid ongoing demonstrations.

Trump, however, has framed the controversy as a distraction, insisting that immigration enforcement is being unfairly targeted while large-scale fraud and government oversight failures remain underexamined.