Independent Journalist Nick Shirley Says He Needs Security to Continue Investigations

Shirley claims he has faced threats and doxing attempts after exposing welfare fraud in blue states

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:06am

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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. He has since faced threats and doxing attempts, forcing him to raise funds for security costs to continue his investigations, including a recent probe into Los Angeles hospice centers.

Why it matters

Shirley's investigations have highlighted concerns about potential welfare fraud, particularly in Democratic-led states. However, the threats and harassment he has faced raise questions about the safety and security challenges independent journalists can face when reporting on sensitive topics.

The details

Shirley posted a video on YouTube on Dec. 26, 2025, featuring his investigation into multiple Minnesota facilities run by Somalis that were advertised as day care centers. The exposé caused the issue of welfare fraud in the state to erupt into a national story. After the video, Shirley said he faced doxing attempts and threats from people who wanted to "attack" him, which he attributed to "politicians and leftist hate-filled rhetoric." Shirley then posted on X (formerly Twitter) asking his followers to help fund his security costs, saying he needed the money to continue filming videos, including a recent investigation into Los Angeles hospice centers that he claims uncovered $170 million in fraud.

  • Shirley posted the video exposing alleged fraud at Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota on December 26, 2025.
  • Shirley posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) on March 20, 2026, asking for help to fund his security costs.
  • Shirley posted a 40-minute video on X on March 20, 2026, showing his investigation into Los Angeles hospice centers.

The players

Nick Shirley

An independent journalist who has conducted investigations into alleged welfare fraud, particularly in Democratic-led states.

Kayleigh McEnany

A Fox News host who interviewed Shirley about the need for security to continue his investigations.

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota who announced he would drop his bid for a third term after Shirley released the video probing Somali day care centers.

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What they’re saying

“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.