J.D. Vance refers Minnesota officials to DOJ for potential fraud investigation

Vice President J.D. Vance announced on June 9, 2026, that he has referred allegations against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to the Justice Department's fraud division for a potential criminal investigation. This referral follows a report from the House Oversight Committee that claims state officials were aware of fraud in federally funded social services programs but did not act due to fears of litigation and accusations of discrimination. Vance stated during an interview on Fox News that the investigation would determine if the actions of the officials constituted a criminal violation. He emphasized the importance of accountability for any wrongdoing. Vance also mentioned that federal Medicaid reimbursements to Minnesota have been paused as part of this investigation. Governor Walz has previously criticized these actions as politically motivated.