Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth said Wednesday that the public may be surprised by how long alleged fraud has been occurring in the state, arguing that the issue has persisted for years and that state leaders failed to act sooner.
Speaking on “America’s Newsroom,” Demuth said Republicans have raised concerns in Minnesota over time, while Democrats “either turned a blind eye or ignored or covered it up.” She also welcomed a House Oversight Committee hearing on the matter, thanking Chairman James Comer and saying Minnesota lawmakers were prepared to present information.
Demuth has repeatedly criticized Gov. Tim Walz over the allegations, arguing that the governor should be held responsible for oversight failures tied to public programs. In a prior interview with Fox News Digital, she said the alleged fraud — which she described as involving day care assistance, Medicaid, and other public benefit programs — falls “squarely” on Walz.
“He’s the governor of the state and needs to take full responsibility,” she said.
Demuth also warned that if voters choose another Democrat to succeed Walz, it would amount to continuing the same leadership.
“Any Democrat that they put in to run in 2026 is part of the problem and will be a Tim Walz third term,” she said, adding that she believes a Republican administration is needed to restore confidence in how taxpayer dollars are managed.
Walz has pushed back strongly against Republican claims. At a press conference Tuesday, he said he considers himself accountable and pointed to his decision not to seek another office.
“The buck stops with me. I’m accountable for this and, because of that accountability, I’m not running for office again,” Walz said.
He also criticized Republicans’ broader messaging and linked their approach to former President Donald Trump, saying, “It ain’t happening.”
