In a significant blow to the Democrat Party, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces calls to resign after a massive “ghost students” fraud scheme drained $300 million in taxpayer funds from his state’s schools.
Ghost Students Drain $300 Million from Minnesota Schools
Nonprofit charter schools in Minnesota enrolled 500 ghost students who never attended classes. These fictitious pupils qualified schools for state funding based on per-pupil allotments. Over five years, organizations collected $300 million through this fraud. The scheme targeted vulnerable public education dollars meant for real children. State auditors uncovered the discrepancies during routine reviews in 2023.
Investigators found empty classrooms and falsified attendance records. Schools claimed reimbursements for meals and transportation that never occurred. Funds flowed to operators who pocketed the cash without delivering services. This deception exploited Minnesota’s lax oversight of charter school reporting. Taxpayers footed the bill while actual students received nothing.
🚨 BREAKING: The Trump Administration is formally demanding the RESIGNATION of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz due to massive fraud and dereliction of duty
Linda McMahon just CAUGHT Minnesota engaging in massive education fraud, where "ghost students" received millions of taxpayer… pic.twitter.com/22xpwOR7ye
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 16, 2025
Trump Admin Links Fraud to Walz’s Leadership Failures
Laura Loomer and other Trump allies urged Walz to resign. They branded Minnesota a “beachhead of criminality” under his watch. This scandal echoes the Feeding Our Future fraud, where $250 million vanished through fake meal programs. Walz’s administration approved both despite red flags. Critics argue that common sense demands his removal for enabling repeat offenses.
FBI agents raided schools in October 2024. They seized records linking the ghost scheme to Somali nonprofit leaders. Aime Tande, 57, faced charges for inflating enrollment by 75 students. Her organization netted $4.7 million. Connections to prior scandals raise questions about systemic corruption in Walz’s state.
Walz defended his record, claiming audits caught the fraud. Yet conservatives view this as too little, too late. American values prioritize stewardship of public funds. When leaders fail to prevent waste, they betray trust. Facts show Walz’s policies fostered an environment ripe for exploitation.
🚨 WATCH: Disability advocate Nathaniel Olson just RIPPED into Tim Walz and Minnesota’s DHS during today’s Fraud and Prevention Oversight Committee hearing.
“I’ve heard the commissioners and the Department of Human Services, but the one thing I’m freaking worried about is this… pic.twitter.com/wQ9NkvrSzt
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) December 17, 2025
Broader Implications for Education Funding
Minnesota allocates $7,500 per pupil annually. Ghost enrollments amplified this to massive theft. State law requires daily attendance verification, but enforcement lagged. Charter schools gained flexibility under Walz, inviting abuse. Nationwide, similar schemes cost billions, per federal reports.
Republicans in Congress launched probes into ties between the federal feeding program and the GOP. They demand Walz testify on oversight lapses. Victims include underfunded public schools deprived of legitimate aid. This fraud underscores conservative calls for tighter controls and school choice reforms.
Common sense aligns with facts: repeated scandals signal deeper rot. Walz’s refusal to step down ignores accountability principles. Taxpayers deserve leaders who safeguard every dollar. Minnesota’s mess warns other states about unchecked progressive policies in education.
Tim Walz previously claimed he kept a shotgun in his car so he could hunt pheasants after football practice.
This is Tim Walz attempting to load his shotgun this past weekend. pic.twitter.com/C52Q3S4rEA
— NRA (@NRA) October 15, 2024
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Beachhead of criminality: Trump admin urges Walz to resign in light of ‘ghost students’ fraud scheme