Citizen Journalist Seeks Security Funding Amid Threats

Nick Shirley says he needs private security to continue investigations of alleged fraud.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:41pm

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Conservative influencer and citizen journalist Nick Shirley, known for his investigation of fraud in the Somali community in Minnesota, is asking his followers for contributions to pay for private security following threats he says he has been getting from leftists. Shirley recently moved his operation to California where he alleged he has found more than $170 million in fraudulent childcare and home healthcare programs funded by taxpayers. Since going viral late last year for his videos on Somali-run daycare centers in the Minneapolis area, Shirley says critics have doxxed and threatened him every time he shows up in another city to film videos.

Why it matters

Shirley's investigations have drawn significant attention and controversy, with critics accusing him of targeting minority communities. The threats he has faced highlight the risks and challenges that journalists can encounter, especially those reporting on sensitive or politically charged topics.

The details

Shirley is raising funds through a nonprofit security service called Blackline Guardian Fund, which says it provides protection to at-risk individuals and institutions. He says the last 'hospice fraud' video he filmed cost $15,000 due to the need for private security for three days. Shirley previously had security in Minnesota, but that effort ended up using most of his funding.

  • Shirley recently moved his operation to California.
  • Shirley went viral late last year for his videos on Somali-run daycare centers in the Minneapolis area.
  • Shirley appeared on Fox News on Saturday to boost his online fundraiser for security costs.

The players

Nick Shirley

A conservative influencer and citizen journalist known for his investigation of fraud in the Somali community in Minnesota.

Blackline Guardian Fund

A nonprofit security funding service that provides protection to at-risk individuals and institutions.

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What they’re saying

“People try to dox my location live. It sucks because I'll go to a city, I'll be out filming… [then] some left-wing activist will take a photo, put me in a Reddit group chat. This happened to me in Baltimore. It just happened this last weekend in California.”

— Nick Shirley, Citizen Journalist

“They say, 'run Nick Shirley out.'”

— Nick Shirley, Citizen Journalist

“The last hospice (fraud) video cost $15,000 to go film because I had to have private security for three days. So, I asked my fans and viewers if they could help me out with those security costs.”

— Nick Shirley, Citizen Journalist

What’s next

Shirley is continuing his fundraising efforts through the Blackline Guardian Fund to cover the costs of private security as he continues his investigations.

The takeaway

Shirley's case highlights the risks and challenges that journalists can face, especially those reporting on sensitive or politically charged topics. The need for security funding underscores the importance of press freedom and the protection of journalists in the face of threats and intimidation.