Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall challenged the prevailing narrative surrounding Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) and allegations that billions of dollars were siphoned off by fraudsters in the state—claims often blamed by some on the right on Somali immigrants. Appearing on Outnumbered on Tuesday, Marshall used her time to add context and dispute what she described as a misleading portrayal of the scandal.
“Well, I looked at what he could be doing. I looked at what he is doing,” Marshall said, responding to criticism from fellow panelists who accused Walz of failing to act.
She argued that political constraints limited the governor’s options. “One of the things that ties his hands is this very legislature that is trying to get him to resign,” Marshall said, noting that lawmakers have not pursued a recall. “So when they say the people of Minnesota don’t want him, well, put it to a recall. Let the people in Minnesota decide.”
Marshall then addressed what she called a key misconception driving the controversy. Citing years of reporting by local Minnesota outlets, she said dozens of convictions have already occurred. “During the Biden administration, there were 59 people convicted so far,” she said. “The ringleader is not Somalian. She’s a white woman named Aimee Bock. She was found guilty on all seven counts that were brought against her. So there are people that are already in prison.”
She added that some facilities implicated in the public discussion were not shut down for fraud at all, but for unrelated violations. “Some of these are not DHS or federal-related facilities,” Marshall said. “Some of these facilities were closed down for other reasons, not even fraud.”
Turning back to Walz’s record, Marshall outlined steps she said the governor has already taken. According to her, Walz sought expanded authority from the legislature to strengthen oversight but was denied. She said his administration closed multiple centers, commissioned outside audits of payments, shut down the housing stabilization department entirely, and appointed an overseer specifically to address the issue.
Marshall also referenced a recently circulated video involving a daycare center, saying it had been closed due to poor performance rather than fraud. “There was no fraud,” she said. “They were just not doing a good job of the daycare.”
Ultimately, Marshall rejected calls for Walz to step down. “I don’t think, honestly, I don’t think he should resign. I don’t think he’s going to resign,” she said, framing the pressure as politically motivated. With less than a year before Walz faces reelection, she acknowledged the controversy could hurt him but suggested it falls short of warranting resignation.
