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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., mentioned she has no regrets about supporting the MEALS Act throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of this system turning into linked to Minnesota’s alleged $250 million “Feeding Our Future” fraud scheme.
“Do you remorse pushing for that invoice, the MEALS Act? Do you assume it led to the fraud?” Nicholas Ballasy for Fox Information Digital requested Omar on Capitol Hill.
“Completely not, it did assist feed youngsters,” Omar mentioned.
Omar launched the MEALS Act on March 11, 2020, to change the Division of Agriculture’s meals and vitamin applications to permit sure waivers on necessities for varsity meal applications, together with those who raised federal prices throughout college closures associated to the pandemic.
WALZ URGES NOEM TO ‘REASSESS’ IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY IN MINNESOTA AFTER ALLEGED CITIZEN ARRESTS
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., mentioned she has “completely” no regrets concerning the 2020 MEALS Act, as a result of “it did assist feed youngsters.” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc through Getty Photos)
Minnesota has confronted scrutiny for alleged mismanagement of federal funds accessed via these waivers, together with in distributing cash for the “Feeding Our Future” program, which authorities consider to be the biggest fraud scheme within the historical past of the pandemic.
INSIDE MINNESOTA’S $1B FRAUD: FAKE OFFICES, PHONY FIRMS AND A SCANDAL HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
The scheme allegedly exploited the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s resolution to waive lots of its normal necessities for the Federal Baby Vitamin Program throughout the pandemic, together with enjoyable its requirement for non-school-based distributors to take part in this system.
Fox Information Digital first reported on the standing of the fraud in July. FBI Director Kash Patel described it on the time as “one of many worst” in Minnesota historical past — and as of November 2025, greater than 75 people have been charged in reference to the scheme, in line with federal prosecutors.
President Donald Trump has lately introduced a flurry of latest actions to crack down and examine fraud schemes in Minnesota, which he has assailed as a “hub of cash laundering exercise,” and cited as the idea of his resolution to terminate deportation protections for tons of of Somali migrants.
Minnesota’s Speaker of the Home, Republican Lisa Demuth, speaks throughout a press convention within the governor’s reception room on the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Could 15, 2025. (Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune through Getty Photos)
Senior Trump administration officers introduced contemporary investigations this month, together with a brand new Treasury Division probe into how taxpayer {dollars} had been allegedly diverted to the terrorist group al-Shabaab, in line with Secretary Scott Bessent.
Trump and different officers have zeroed in on these alleged fraud schemes, arguing that the legal exercise is a results of mismanagement and “incompetence” from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat and former vice presidential candidate.
‘INCOMPETENCE OR DERELICTION’: MINNESOTA LAWMAKER RIPS TIM WALZ AS STATE FRAUD LOSSES MOUNT
“It’s not stunning that the president has chosen to broadly goal a complete group,” Walz mentioned of Trump’s efforts, including, “That is what he does to alter the topic.”
Conspirators falsely claimed to have served hundreds of thousands of meals throughout the pandemic, however as an alternative used the cash for private achieve. Additionally they are accused of fabricating invoices, submitting faux attendance data and falsely distributing 1000’s of meals from tons of of so-called meals distribution “websites” throughout the state.
Among the people are a part of Minnesota’s Somali diaspora, which is the biggest within the U.S., although the ringleader of the scheme shouldn’t be.
“Stealing from the federal authorities equates to stealing from the American folks — there is no such thing as a less complicated fact,” FBI’s particular agent in cost, Alvin Winston, instructed Fox Information Digital in an announcement.
The solar shines on the Minnesota State Capitol on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Picture/Steve Karnowski)
Charging paperwork present that roughly 300 “meals websites” within the state served little or no meals, with the so-called “meals distributors” and organizations fabricated to launder cash supposed to reimburse the price of feeding youngsters.
FBI officers instructed Fox Information that the investigation and ensuing trials and indictments proceed to influence the state, and have already touched off legislative reform in Minnesota.
They added that the investigation into the fraud stays ongoing, and that further expenses are anticipated, although they didn’t instantly share extra particulars.
“The egregious fraud unveiled within the Feeding our Future case epitomizes a profound betrayal of public belief,” Patel instructed Fox Information Digital earlier this 12 months.
“These people misappropriated tons of of hundreds of thousands in federal funds supposed to nourish susceptible youngsters throughout a time of disaster, redirecting these sources into luxurious properties, high-end automobiles and lavish life whereas households confronted hardship,” he added.
President Donald Trump speaks throughout a roundtable within the Cupboard Room of the White Home in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. ( Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg through Getty Photos)
Trump prompt earlier this month that Omar, who fled Somalia as a baby, “should not be allowed to be a congresswoman,” prompting fierce backlash from some Democrats and from Minnesota’s congressional delegation.
Omar, for her half, mentioned Trump’s remarks had been “vile.”
“His obsession with me is creepy,” she mentioned on social media. “I hope he will get the assistance he desperately wants.”
ICE REJECTS OMAR CLAIM SON WAS PULLED OVER BY FEDS, PRESSED FOR CITIZENSHIP PROOF: ‘ABSOLUTELY ZERO RECORD’
Ballasy later pressed Omar about one other incident dominating headlines.
“Congresswoman, the ICE director is saying now that your son was not pulled over by ICE. He is saying there is not any proof,” Ballasy mentioned to Omar on Capitol Hill.
The pinnacle of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rejected a viral declare from Omar that her son was pressed for proof of U.S. citizenship by company personnel after stopping at a Minnesota Goal over the weekend.
Omar had instructed CBS’ Twin Cities affiliate that her son was subjected to a visitors stop-type encounter by ICE brokers however was in the end let go with out additional concern after he was capable of produce a U.S. passport or passport card.
Performing ICE Director Todd Lyons talking at a press convention on the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston on June 2. (Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe through Getty Photos)
Performing ICE Director Todd Lyons pushed again on the assertion on Tuesday, telling Fox Information Digital the incident by no means occurred.
“How do they know that?” Omar countered. “How do they know that? Is he saying he has documentations of all of the folks they pulled over? As a result of we have been asking for that info. We’ve not gotten it from them, so if ICE is confirming now that they gather knowledge and refusing to offer it to members of Congress, then that is an fascinating admission.”
“ICE has completely zero file of its officers or brokers pulling over Congresswoman Omar’s son,” Lyons mentioned.
“It speaks volumes that Congresswoman Omar is leveling this accusation with completely zero proof.”
Lyons referred to as Omar’s feedback to the native outlet a “ridiculous effort” to demonize federal legislation enforcement. He additionally mentioned her rhetoric contributes to a spike in threats in opposition to ICE personnel, citing a 1,150% improve in assaults and an 8,000% improve in demise threats.
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When requested to answer Lyons’ remark, Omar instructed Ballasy, “Effectively, their crackdown has terrorized my group, so they should cease.”
