Sen. Hawley Accuses Minnesota AG Ellison of Bribery in Heated Senate Hearing

Hawley alleges Ellison ignored whistleblowers and took campaign donations tied to $250 million fraud scheme, which Ellison denies.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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During a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Sen. Josh Hawley accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of ignoring whistleblowers and allegedly receiving $10,000 in campaign donations from individuals linked to a $250 million fraud scheme involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Ellison denied the accusations, saying Hawley mischaracterized a meeting with the group. The heated exchange ended with Hawley doubling down, saying Ellison should be "indicted" and "go to jail" over the corruption.

Why it matters

The clash between Hawley and Ellison highlights ongoing political tensions and allegations of corruption surrounding a major fraud case in Minnesota that has drawn national attention. The Feeding Our Future scandal has led to charges against 78 people and raised concerns about oversight of federal pandemic relief funds.

The details

According to Hawley, whistleblowers came to Ellison about the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, but he "didn't do a thing" until individuals linked to the group met with him, asked him to get investigators "off their backs," and promised him $10,000 in campaign donations. Ellison denied the accusations, saying Hawley mischaracterized the meeting and that his office assisted investigators, leading to convictions. However, Hawley doubled down, saying Ellison should be "indicted" and "go to jail" over the corruption.

  • The heated exchange took place during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on February 13, 2026.

The players

Josh Hawley

A U.S. Senator from Missouri and a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

Keith Ellison

The Attorney General of Minnesota who was accused by Hawley of ignoring whistleblowers and allegedly receiving campaign donations tied to a $250 million fraud scheme.

Feeding Our Future

A nonprofit organization that falsely claimed to be feeding thousands of children during the COVID-19 pandemic while little food was actually distributed. The Justice Department has charged at least 78 people in this $250 million fraud scheme.

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What they’re saying

“Two hundred and fifty million dollars was stolen.”

— Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator (Hannity)

“Whistleblowers came to him, he didn't do a thing. He didn't do anything until the fraudsters came to him in his office, asked him to get the investigators off of their backs and promised him money. And then he swung into action and put his hand out. That's what we call bribery.”

— Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator (Hannity)

“Do you want to know why we have a corruption problem in this country? It's people like Keith Ellison.”

— Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator (Senate Homeland Security Committee Hearing)

What’s next

The Senate Homeland Security Committee is expected to continue investigating the Feeding Our Future fraud case and Ellison's role in it. Hawley has called for Ellison to be "indicted" and "go to jail" over the allegations.

The takeaway

This clash between Hawley and Ellison underscores the ongoing political tensions and allegations of corruption surrounding the Feeding Our Future fraud case, which has drawn national attention and raised concerns about oversight of federal pandemic relief funds.