Independent Journalist Asks Fans for Security Funds After Exposing Welfare Fraud

Nick Shirley says he needs security to continue investigating fraud in blue states after facing threats and doxxing attempts.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Independent journalist Nick Shirley told Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany that he requires security to continue investigating welfare fraud in blue states. Shirley posted a video in December 2025 exposing alleged fraud at Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota, which caused the issue to erupt into a national story. After the video, Shirley said he faced doxxing attempts and threats, forcing him to raise funds for security to continue his investigations, including a recent one into Los Angeles hospice centers.

Why it matters

Shirley's investigations into alleged welfare fraud have drawn national attention and sparked political fallout, with the Minnesota governor announcing he would not seek re-election shortly after Shirley's video. However, Shirley says the cost of security has become a major obstacle, highlighting the risks and challenges independent journalists can face when investigating sensitive topics.

The details

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Shirley said he needs to raise funds for security costs after his recent investigations. He said activists have tried to dox his location and threaten him, forcing him to hire security teams that can cost up to $15,000 per video. Shirley said this security cost has depleted his previous funds, making it difficult to continue his reporting.

  • On December 26, 2025, Shirley posted a 42-minute video exposing alleged fraud at Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota.
  • On January 5, 2026, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he would not seek a third term, days after Shirley's video.
  • On February 2, 2026, a Daily Caller News Foundation reporter was assaulted by anti-ICE rioters near a makeshift roadblock in Minneapolis.

The players

Nick Shirley

An independent journalist who has been investigating welfare fraud in blue states, leading to threats and doxxing attempts against him.

Kayleigh McEnany

A Fox News host who interviewed Shirley about his need for security funds.

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota who announced he would not seek re-election after Shirley's video exposing alleged fraud at Somali-run day care centers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yeah, so, people try to dox my location live, especially in a lot of times when I go to these cities now. It sucks because I'll go to a city, I'll go be out filming, I will take a photo. Some activists, some left-wing activists, will then take a photo, [and] put me in a Reddit group chat.”

— Nick Shirley, Independent Journalist

“I had money for security. After Minnesota, that money went down to pretty much nothing, so, unfortunately, I had to raise funds again to be able to have security, to be able to go film these videos, [and] to film one of these videos now. I used to be able to film these videos without security. Now it costs anywhere from— the last hospice video cost $15,000 to go film because I had to have security for three days to go film this video. And so it's extremely hard to go out and do that, so I asked my fans and viewers if they could help me out with the security costs.”

— Nick Shirley, Independent Journalist

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.