Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche alleged that recent Minneapolis anti‑ICE protests are a smokescreen for large-scale fraud tied to Minnesota benefit scandals across the state. Blanche said federal attention is shifting to alleged billions in false claims, and Justice Department officials have mobilized extra prosecutors to Minnesota. News reports describe multiple federal inquiries — civil‑rights and criminal probes — including investigations related to Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey’s rhetoric. Authorities have executed raids, arrests, and freezes on payments amid ongoing investigations. Blanche framed the unrest as a distraction from the fraud probes, which remain under active federal review.

Sources: (newsmax.com)