Overview
- A day after withdrawing from the race, Gov. Tim Walz rejected calls to resign and said he will serve out his term while directing the state’s response.
- More than 90 people have been charged since 2022 in related cases, and prosecutors say losses could exceed $1 billion with potential exposure as high as $9 billion.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services froze federal child-care payments to Minnesota after a viral video, though state investigators later said the facilities highlighted were operating as expected.
- Walz accused political opponents of exploiting the crisis and said his administration has tightened oversight, cut off suspect funding streams, ordered audits, and installed a program integrity lead.
- The governor’s exit reshapes the 2026 contest as sources say Sen. Amy Klobuchar is considering a run, with several Republican contenders already in the field.