Tim Walz says he takes responsibility for Minnesota fraud by not running for re-election

Gov.Tim Walz took responsibility for mishandling fraud in Minnesota even as he took multiple parting shots at the Trump administration.During Friday’s episode of "The Lever" podcast, Walz said that he lacked the authority to independently stop payments to suspected fraudsters and needed legislative action to obtain that authority, but nonetheless acknowledged that his administration should have acted sooner."The amount of fraud, like I said, $1 is too much, but the amount that has been prosecuted, and people put in jail, is less than what [President Donald Trump] is asking for his ballroom," Walz said. When pressed further by the host about whether he was worried that the fraud allegations would continue to be damaging, Walz replied, "Yes.

They undermine faith in government."He added, "It's one of the reasons I accept responsibility for that.I think, you know, I had decided, probably after the murder of Melissa Hortman, certainly before Christmas, that we weren't going to run again because I said, ‘They're going to use this to attack others and to attack the system.’"GOP ACCUSES WALZ ALLIES OF BURYING $52M MEDICAID FRAUD REPORT BEFORE ELECTIONMinnesota Gov.

Tim Walz announced in early 2026 that he would not seek a third term as governor.(Scott Olson/Getty Images)"Every state has this.

Most states have far more than this," he added."The Trump administration decided to focus on the perfect storm for them," Walz said."‘Blame Somalis.’ ‘Blame the guy who ran against me.’ ‘Blame this prosperous state that pays more money in than not and let's punish them.’ But that doesn't excuse that.

Should we do more? Yes.Were there things that we should have closed back doors sooner? Yes.

I mean, it happened.Now we know other states are learning from us."He later said, "The problem with fraud and corruption, both of them undermine faith in government, and that plays right into Republicans' hands.

Do they like fraud? I would argue they do because it undermines...