Social services fraud claims prompt JD Vance to seek Justice Department review of Minnesota officials

US Vice President JD Vance asked federal prosecutors to examine allegations of social services fraud in Minnesota. The request focused on Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. The move raised fresh questions about whether a new Justice Department unit could be used against rivals.

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Vance sent a letter to the Justice Department and cited a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report. The report alleged Walz and Ellison knew about misuse of government programmes for years. It also claimed state leaders let the activity continue instead of stopping it.

Justice Department investigation request and National Fraud Enforcement Division

The referral went to the Justice Department’s new National Fraud Enforcement Division. It added pressure to the Trump administration’s stated campaign against fraud in public programmes. Officials previously said the effort would not be partisan. The referral was described as an escalation of that push.

The division has faced close scrutiny over possible political influence. President Donald Trump’s White House announced the unit in January. Early plans said its leader would report directly to the president. That structure differed from normal Justice Department reporting lines.

JD Vance claims on social services fraud and federal law

In the letter, Vance said accountability should apply in Minnesota and nationwide. Vance wrote that officials must face consequences if they facilitated fraud. Vance also mentioned blocking enforcement actions. Vance included retaliation against whistleblowers who tried to report misconduct.

Vance also posted on X about the issue. "Minnesota state officials are not above the law,\" Vance wrote in a post on X. The statement repeated the message in the referral. It also kept attention on state leaders named in the request.

Tim Walz and Keith Ellison response to social services fraud allegations

The Justice Department did not immediately answer questions Tuesday about a possible investigation. It also remained unclear what federal violations could support a probe. The Minnesota officials are Democrats. They have called a separate Justice Department investigation involving state leaders politically motivated.

A spokesperson for Walz did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ellison rejected the claims and said they lacked support. Ellison said there was no evidence the office ignored wrongdoing. Ellison also said the office did not fail to act as required by law.

Ellison said the referral was political. Ellison criticised the administration’s approach to enforcement decisions. \"It is deeply troubling to see official powers and public resources diverted away from serving the people and instead aimed at pursuing political adversaries,\" Ellison said in a statement. \"That is not what government is for, and it diminishes public trust in our institutions.\"

With inputs from PTI