Jacob Frey praises Somali community as Minnesota faces renewed scrutiny over fraud investigations

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told members of the city's Somali community over the weekend that they are "our family," pledging solidarity and praising their contributions to the city during remarks celebrating Somali Independence Day.

Frey's remarks came as Minnesota continues to face scrutiny over several high-profile fraud investigations and weeks after a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report alleged the Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's administration failed to act on repeated warnings about widespread fraud in the state's social services programs.

"Through the most difficult of times and through Operation Metro surge, we all saw that they tried to come for some of us," Frey told members of the Somali community on Saturday. "And when that happens, we say that you're coming for all of us."

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks during a Somali Independence Day celebration in Minneapolis as attendees stand on stage holding Somali flags. (Credit: Mayor Jacob Frey X Post)

"In Minneapolis, we loved our neighbors. In Minneapolis, we do not see you as immigrants. We see you as our family," he added. "You are our brothers. You’re our sisters. You have done so much for this incredible city, and for that, we stand with you."

Frey appeared to reference Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's immigration and public safety initiative in Minnesota.

The operation concluded in February after border czar Tom Homan announced it had resulted in the arrest of more than 4,000 people in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and had reduced what he described as public safety threats.

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks to the media at City Hall on Jan. 9. (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Frey shared the video on X, writing, "Happy Somali Independence Day."

"Here in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, we celebrate the resilience, culture, and leadership that continue to enrich our city and community," he said.

Earlier this month, a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report alleged Walz's administration repeatedly failed to act on warnings about fraud involving state social services programs, including the Feeding Our Future scandal.

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Democratic Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)

The committee said more than 110 people have been charged in connection with various fraud schemes in Minnesota, including many defendants identified as members of Minnesota's Somali immigrant community.

The report also alleged concerns about potential racial discrimination claims contributed to delays in addressing suspected fraud and estimated Minnesota lost roughly $300 million in stolen federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Walz administration officials have disputed the committee's findings.

Fox News Digital's Adam Pack contributed to this report.