Trump Administration Led With the Wrong Agency in Minnesota
RealClearPolitics
by J.T. Young, RealClearPoliticsFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Trump administration made a significant misstep by focusing on ICE rather than the DOJ in addressing the Minnesota fraud scandal, which could have been a major political opportunity. The scandal, involving massive fraud linked to COVID relief programs, not only implicated several high-ranking Democrats but also had ties to Somalia and potential terrorist organizations. This oversight allowed the administration to highlight its commitment to justice by leveraging the DOJ's resources more effectively.
The scandal's scale was immense, with 98 defendants charged and numerous convictions secured. However, instead of capitalizing on this momentum, the administration shifted focus away from the DOJ, which could have amplified pressure on Democrats tied to the fraud. Key figures like Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar found themselves in compromising positions, each facing scrutiny that could be weaponized politically.
Walz's abrupt withdrawal from the gubernatorial race and subsequent retirement indicated his recognition of impending political fallout. The scandal's implications extended beyond Minnesota, affecting public trust in government, especially among those still recovering from COVID-19 impacts. This context underscores the broader importance of such scandals in shaping voter sentiment and political outcomes.
The administration's decision to redirect attention away from DOJ missed an opportunity to build a strong narrative against Democrats, instead allowing ICE into a volatile situation. This misstep not only weakened their political position but also highlighted the potential for further exploiting the scandal's threads, which could have been a significant tool in the 2024 election cycle.
This issue matters because it illustrates how political strategy and public trust intersect. Voters grappling with economic hardships and past government failures are more susceptible to scandals
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Originally published on RealClearPolitics on 2/20/2026