Trump Administration Vows Crackdown on Alleged Fraud in Minnesota, Maine

Lawmakers accuse state AGs of ignoring fraud allegations, demand accountability for improper Medicaid payments

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Trump administration is vowing to crack down on allegations of fraud in government programs, particularly in Minnesota and Maine. Lawmakers have accused state attorneys general of ignoring fraud allegations, while audits have found millions in improper Medicaid payments. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is demanding answers from state officials and calling for a revamp of oversight for nonprofit organizations administering these programs.

Why it matters

The allegations of widespread fraud in government-funded programs, if true, represent a significant misuse of taxpayer dollars and undermine public trust in these critical social services. The political tensions between federal and state officials also highlight the ongoing debate over the balance of power and accountability in addressing fraud and abuse.

The details

Audits found that Gateway Community Services, run by Somali Americans in Minnesota, overbilled the government by over $1 million. A viral video also accused members of the Somali community in Minnesota of running fraudulent daycare and healthcare centers. In Maine, a report found over $45 million in improper Medicaid payments for autism services. The Trump administration, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is demanding answers from state officials and calling for reforms to increase oversight of nonprofit organizations administering these programs.

  • In a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Thursday, February 13, 2026, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Miss., accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of ignoring fraud allegations.
  • The Office of the Inspector General recently released a report finding the improper Medicaid payments in Maine.
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has given the Maine governor 30 days to respond to questions about the autism fraud allegations.

The players

Josh Hawley

A Republican senator from Mississippi who accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison of ignoring fraud allegations.

Keith Ellison

The attorney general of Minnesota, whom Sen. Hawley accused of ignoring fraud allegations.

Janet Mills

The governor of Maine, who called the allegations of fraud a political attack from the Trump administration.

Dr. Mehmet Oz

The Administrator with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, who discussed the findings of fraud and the need for reforms.

Peter Schweizer

The President of the Government Accountability Institute, who called for a revamping of the oversight system for nonprofit organizations administering government programs.

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What they’re saying

“'You helped fraudsters defraud your state and this government of $9 billion and you got a fat campaign contribution out of it. I should call you a prisoner because you ought to be in jail.'”

— Josh Hawley, Senator (The National News Desk)

“'Here's the concern. If there's one child in the neighborhood with autism, we have services to go take care of that child. There's money that goes to that family. But if every kid in the neighborhood claims they're autistic because their parents say they are then now you've got no one in the neighborhood actually getting proper autism services.'”

— Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (The National News Desk)

“'What's happened in Minnesota and a lot of other states is, it goes through nonprofit organizations, NGO's. So it's not the government that's running these programs, but they don't have the same oversight.'”

— Peter Schweizer, President, Government Accountability Institute (The National News Desk)

What’s next

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has given the Maine governor 30 days to respond to questions about the autism fraud allegations.

The takeaway

The allegations of widespread fraud in government-funded programs in Minnesota and Maine highlight the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures, particularly for nonprofit organizations administering these critical social services. The political tensions between federal and state officials also underscore the ongoing debate over the balance of power in addressing fraud and abuse.