Bessent says fraud money tracked overseas as Omar rebuts terror link on Face the Nation
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Face the Nation that money tied to the Feeding Our Future Minnesota welfare fraud "has gone overseas" and that Treasury is tracing flows to the Middle East and Somalia, and he alleged some charged individuals had donated to Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar and AG Keith Ellison — a claim Omar denied, saying any terrorism link would be "a failure of the FBI and our court system," that her campaign returned implicated donations and that she had pressed USDA to scrutinize the program while condemning anti‑Somali rhetoric. Federal investigators and prosecutors say they have found no evidence the stolen funds were funneled to al-Shabaab, documenting instead lavish personal spending and overseas transfers (to China and Kenya) in a scheme federal officials estimate at roughly $250 million, with at least 77 indictments, about $60 million recovered so far, and several defendants sentenced to long prison terms and large restitution orders.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- The Feeding Our Future fraud scheme is estimated at about $250 million from pandemic-era child nutrition programs; at least 77 people have been indicted and roughly $60 million has been recovered so far.
- Sentences and court orders include Abdiaziz Shafii Farah (sentenced to 28 years) and Abdimajid Mohamed Nur (sentenced to 10 years and ordered to pay nearly $48 million in restitution); authorities continue asset recovery efforts and federal partners have signaled imminent ICE operational activity in Minnesota.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Face the Nation the money tied to the Minnesota fraud 'has gone overseas' and that Treasury is tracking flows to the Middle East and Somalia; he cited a Nov. 19 City Journal report alleging some funds reached al-Shabaab.
- The Treasury Department has opened a probe into overseas flows amid broader GOP-driven inquiries and pressure from Minnesota Republicans (including Rep. Tom Emmer) for federal investigations.
- Court exhibits and records published by CBS show extensive luxury spending (Maldives overwater villa, first‑class travel, a Porsche, lakefront home), multiple overseas wire transfers (including six transfers totalling over $1 million to banks in China in Feb–Jul 2021 and nearly $3 million sent to Kenya), and text messages requesting money be sent to 'Mogadishu bakara' alongside images of large cash stacks.
- Multiple federal investigators, and former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, say there is no evidence the stolen funds were funneled to al-Shabaab and contend defendants used the money to enrich themselves and finance personal luxury spending.
- Bessent alleged some charged individuals made donations to Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar and AG Keith Ellison; Omar said her campaign returned implicated donations years ago, had asked the USDA to scrutinize the program, insisted any terrorism link would be 'a failure of the FBI,' and condemned recent presidential remarks about Somali immigrants as 'disgusting.'
đź“Š Relevant Data
The median household income for Somali households in Minnesota is $43,600, compared to the overall state median household income of $87,556.
Somali population - Cultural communities - Minnesota Compass — Minnesota Compass
Among Somali adults aged 25 and older in Minnesota, 36.6% speak English less than 'very well.'
Somali population - Cultural communities - Minnesota Compass — Minnesota Compass
Remittances to Somalia from the diaspora are estimated at $2 billion annually, equivalent to roughly 25 percent of Somalia's GDP.
2025 Investment Climate Statements: Somalia — U.S. Department of State
đź“Š Analysis & Commentary (2)
"The column uses recent reporting on the Feeding Our Future fraud (money tracked overseas with many Somali-linked suspects) to argue that Minnesota’s Somali enclave has amassed political power without sufficient assimilation, calling for greater accountability and questioning whether cultural separation should allow the same access to political influence."
"A conservative opinion piece uses the Feeding Our Future and related Minnesota program abuses (the story covered in 'Bessent says fraud money tracked overseas as Omar rebuts terror link on Face the Nation') to argue that mass refugee resettlement and generous welfare access—combined with cultural differences and political protection—produce hidden fiscal and governance costs that demand tougher vetting and accountability."
đź“° Sources (5)
- CBS published trial exhibits showing luxury spending (Maldives overwater villa, first-class tickets, Porsche, lakefront home) and overseas transfers tied to Minnesota defendants.
- Records show Abdiaziz Shafii Farah made six wire transfers worth over $1 million to banks in China (Feb–Jul 2021) and defendants sent nearly $3 million to Kenya.
- Multiple federal investigators told CBS there is no evidence the stolen funds were funneled to al-Shabaab; former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said the money went to personal luxury spending.
- Defendant Abdimajid Mohamed Nur was sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $48 million in restitution; Farah was sentenced to 28 years last month.
- Text messages include a request to send $1,000 to 'Mogadishu bakara' and images of large cash stacks.
- Confirms a new Treasury Department probe alongside broader GOP-driven inquiries.
- Updates recovery figures: ~$60 million recovered so far.
- Reiterates scope: at least 77 people indicted in Minnesota tied to the case.
- Notes a recent $48 million restitution order with a 10-year prison sentence for one defendant.
- Signals imminent ICE operational activity in Minnesota.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Face the Nation that money tied to the Minnesota fraud scheme 'has gone overseas,' and Treasury is tracking flows to the Middle East and Somalia to determine their uses.
- Bessent alleged some individuals charged in the fraud donated to Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and AG Keith Ellison.
- Rep. Ilhan Omar said any link between the fraud proceeds and terrorism would constitute 'a failure of the FBI and our court system,' asserted her campaign returned implicated donations 'a couple of years ago,' and noted she previously asked USDA to scrutinize the program.
- Omar condemned the president’s recent remarks about Somali immigrants as 'disgusting' and warned such rhetoric can spur dangerous actions.
- CBS specifies Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shared a Nov. 19 City Journal report alleging Minnesota welfare funds reached al Shabaab.
- Adds that Minnesota Republicans, including Rep. Tom Emmer, pressed federal prosecutors to investigate.
- Context from a 2019 Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor report: it was unable to substantiate claims that Child Care Assistance Program funds went to terrorist groups, though it said such transfers were possible.
- U.S. Attorney Andy Lugar (Minnesota) told the Star Tribune last month that Feeding Our Future defendants aimed to get rich, not fund overseas terrorism.
- Recaps the scale of the Feeding Our Future case: a $250 million fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic.