Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is refusing to express any regret for backing the MEALS Act, even as federal investigators continue to unravel what has become one of the largest fraud schemes in U.S. history, which is tied directly to the relaxed rules her legislation helped implement.
Fox News’s Nicholas Ballasy asked Omar on Capitol Hill whether she regretted pushing the bill, given its connection to the alleged $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scam.
“Absolutely not, it did help feed kids,” Omar said.
However, the tens of millions of taxpayer dollars that were stolen by Somali fraudsters could have fed far more children.
WATCH:
Omar introduced the MEALS Act on March 11, 2020, to loosen requirements on USDA school meal programs during pandemic-era closures.
Those waivers, federal prosecutors say, opened the door to rampant abuse in Minnesota, where state agencies distributed federal nutrition funds with little oversight.
Minnesota has since become ground zero for pandemic-related fraud investigations.
Federal authorities say more than 75 individuals have been charged so far in the Feeding Our Future case, a sweeping scheme in which conspirators allegedly fabricated meal counts, falsified attendance records, and invented hundreds of “food distribution sites” across the state.
FBI Director Kash Patel previously described the case as “one of the worst” in Minnesota history.
President Donald Trump has launched an aggressive crackdown, describing Minnesota as a “hub of money laundering activity” and citing the fraud cases as justification for revoking deportation protections for hundreds of Somali migrants.
Senior administration officials this month announced a new Treasury investigation into how taxpayer dollars were allegedly funneled to the terrorist group al-Shabaab, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Trump has also tied the failures to Democrat Gov. Tim Walz, whom he accuses of mismanagement and incompetence.
Walz has dismissed the criticism, saying:
“This is what he does to change the subject.”
Charging documents reveal that roughly 300 Minnesota food sites claimed to serve millions of meals that never existed.
Instead, federal money was allegedly spent on luxury homes, high-end cars, and personal lifestyles.
While several conspirators come from Minnesota’s Somali community, the ringleader is not.
FBI special agent in charge Alvin Winston underscored the broader stakes of the investigation, saying:
“Stealing from the federal government equates to stealing from the American people — there is no simpler truth.”
Officials expect more indictments ahead.
Patel said earlier this year that the fraud represented “a profound betrayal of public trust.”
The political fallout has intensified as Omar continues to face scrutiny.
Trump recently suggested Omar “shouldn’t be allowed to be a congresswoman,” prompting swift pushback from Democrats.
Omar responded on social media, calling Trump’s remarks “vile” and adding, “His obsession with me is creepy.”
The congresswoman is also defending herself against a separate controversy involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Omar claimed her son was stopped by ICE and asked for proof of citizenship.
However, ICE leadership confirmed that there is no record of any such encounter with Omar’s son.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons revealed that there was “absolutely zero record” of such an encounter.
Lyons said Omar’s accusation was a “ridiculous effort” to demonize law enforcement that has contributed to an explosion in threats against ICE personnel.
Pressed again by Ballasy, Omar challenged the agency’s ability to dismiss her story.
“How do they know that? How do they know that?” she said, arguing that ICE has refused to provide documentation to Congress.
Lyons countered, “It speaks volumes that Congresswoman Omar is leveling this accusation with absolutely zero proof.”
Omar maintained that her community is being targeted, saying:
“Well, their crackdown has terrorized my community, so they need to stop.”
The fraud investigations in Minnesota remain ongoing, with federal officials warning that additional charges and additional political fallout are likely.
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