(The Center Square) – Exposed for stolen valor while on the 2024 ticket as vice president candidate and now facing charges of misusing billions of taxpayer dollars, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday finally answered questions a day after not taking any while abruptly ending his reelection campaign.
The second-term Democrat said a resignation before the end of his term would be “over my dead body.” Probes are ongoing with total dollars still to be determined, though estimates are in the $9 billion neighborhood.
Since 2022, more than 90 people in the state have been charged with a scheme tied to the COVID-19 era. Many are of Somalian heritage. Other welfare assistance under investigation are tied to programs for Medicaid, day care, housing and meals.
“Look, I got a year of work to do here,” Walz said. “I caution Minnesotans, this is going to get worse before it gets better.”
Walz on Monday pulled out of his reelection bid, only making a statement and not answering questions at a press conference. Tuesday he did, though he was rehearsed in approach to shifting attention to the White House. To one question, he changed direction with a reminder of it being the fifth year to the day since certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory over Donald Trump was disrupted at the U.S. Capitol.
When Biden pulled out of his reelection bid 107 days before Election Day, Kamala Harris eventually tagged Walz as a running mate. On the way to being swept 93-0 in electoral college votes of the battleground states, he was exposed for previous congressional campaigns in which he printed the wrong rank on challenge coins he distributed. The firestorm also included questioned belief on whether he received final paperwork committing his unit to a deployment in Iraq just before he quit.
Accusations of fraud within the child care sector in Minnesota has drawn national attention. As early as 2015, the TV station KMSP says it has been uncovering day care fraud leading to charges and guilty pleas. TV station KARE unleashed a significant report in 2022. Accusations have increased in the past month.
“We are under assault like no other time in our state’s history because of a petty, vile administration that doesn’t care about the well-being of Minnesotans,” Walz said, alluding to the Trump administration. “My job is to protect the well-being of Minnesotans.”
Critics of the governor contend that statement falls short given the charges of massive fraud of Minnesotans and Americans, with his decision to bow out offering a measure of validity to the accusations. Walz indicated he wants to remove the bullseye.
Walz said he’s uncertain of his next career step. Turning 62 in April, and having said he’s among poorest of politicians financially, most speculate he will seek gainful employment. He said being a geography teacher was what he’s really good at, though most figure his $127,000 a year salary as governor will be followed by something in the foundation sector.
