MN GOP urges federal probe of alleged terror financing
Minnesota Senate and House Republican caucuses sent letters Monday to U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen — joining earlier requests from four GOP U.S. House members — urging a federal probe into reports that Minnesota-linked fraud and remittances may have funded terrorism. A City Journal/Manhattan Institute report, based on unnamed sources and a former detective, alleges hawala transfers gave a cut to al‑Shabaab, but a 2019 Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor found no substantiated proof that money reached terrorist groups; the U.S. Treasury has now opened an investigation.
📌 Key Facts
- A City Journal/Manhattan Institute report revived claims that Minnesota fraud funded terrorism; its evidentiary basis relies on unnamed sources and former detective Glenn Kerns alleging al‑Shabaab takes a cut of hawala transfers, while the report acknowledges no definitive link has been shown.
- The 2019 Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor found that fraud occurred but did not produce substantiated proof that money reached terrorist groups, though it warned that overseas remittances to certain regions can be at risk.
- Minnesota Senate and House Republican caucuses sent letters on Monday to U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen requesting an investigation, adding to earlier letters from four GOP U.S. House members calling for probes.
- The U.S. Treasury Department has opened an investigation into claims that Minnesota-related fraud may have funded terrorist activities.
- The Treasury probe marks a shift from prior calls for investigation to an active federal inquiry.
📊 Relevant Data
An estimated 81,000 people with Somali ancestry live in Minnesota, representing the largest Somali community in the United States.
Somali population - Cultural communities - Minnesota Compass — Minnesota Compass
The poverty rate among people of Somali ancestry in Minnesota is 49.7%, significantly higher than the statewide poverty rate of 9.4%.
Somali population - Cultural communities - Minnesota Compass — Minnesota Compass
Many of the defendants in the alleged fraud schemes related to Feeding Our Future are members of Minnesota's large Somali community.
Treasury investigating whether Minnesota welfare money went to Africa, Bessent says — CBS News
Somalia received $1.73 billion in remittances from its diaspora in 2023.
Taxing the world's most generous givers — Lowy Institute
Al-Shabaab generates an estimated $100 million in annual revenue primarily from extortion within Somalia.
Reclaiming Al Shabaab's Revenue — Africa Center for Strategic Studies
📰 Sources (3)
- The U.S. Treasury Department has opened an investigation into claims that Minnesota-related fraud may have funded terrorist activities.
- This represents a shift from prior calls-for-investigation to an active federal inquiry.
- Adds that Minnesota Senate and House Republican caucuses sent letters on Monday to U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen requesting an investigation (in addition to earlier letters from four GOP U.S. House members).
- Details the City Journal/Manhattan Institute report’s evidentiary basis: unnamed sources and former detective Glenn Kerns alleging al‑Shabaab takes a cut of hawala transfers, while acknowledging no definitive link has been shown.
- Reiterates the 2019 Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor finding: fraud existed but no substantiated proof that money reached terrorist groups, though overseas remittances in certain regions can be at risk.