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Rep. Brandon Gill, Republican of Texas, wasted no time in badgering witnesses during a House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday on the role of the Somali community in allegations of widespread fraud uncovered in Minnesota.
In an exchange with Brendan Ballou, a former federal prosecutor and Democratic witness, Gill highlighted a series of ways Somalis have shown a statistical dependence on government support programs in Minnesota.
“Do you know what percentage of Somali-headed households in Minnesota are on food stamps? 54 percent,” Gill said.
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, leaves the House Republican Conference caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, May 6, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
“Do you know what that number is for households headed by native Minnesotans? » asked Gill.
Ballou began to answer but was interrupted by more questions from Gill.
“Well, to be clear, the majority of…” Ballou began.
“It’s 7%,” Gill interjected. “There’s a big difference between 54% and 7%, right?
“You use the phrase ‘native Minnesotans’ — the majority of Somalis in Minnesota are as Minnesotans as any of us. They were born in the United States,” Ballou countered, noting that there might be some overlap between Gill’s numbers.
Gill continued.
“What percentage of Somali-headed households are on welfare in general? It’s 81 percent,” Gill said. “After ten years in the United States, what percentage of Somali immigrant households continue to receive welfare? The figure is 78%.”
Gill’s statements come as Republicans take a closer look at the levels of fraud uncovered in Minnesota in recent months. Local and federal investigators discovered a myriad of fraudulent schemes posing as daycares, feeding programs, health clinics and more, accused of stealing up to $9 billion from the state. In these cases, investigators say the scammers either inflated the number of people they allegedly helped or fabricated their services while receiving government dollars.
While Republicans have stressed the need to combat fraud broadly, the Somali community has come under particular scrutiny.
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Homeland Security investigators participated in a large fraud investigation in Minneapolis on Monday, following the release of a video of alleged fraud at a daycare. (Department of Homeland Security)
According to Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., investigators have indicted 98 defendants, 85 of whom are of Somali descent.
Gill asked Ballou if the Somalis made Minnesota a stronger state.
“This does not seem to me to be something that makes our country stronger. And I think most Americans would agree with me on that,” Gill said.
Gill also questioned witnesses about whether Democrats could draw support from the Somali community.
“Would you say that the Somali population is an important demographic that Democrats can win over politically?” » Gill asked Walter Hudson, a Republican state representative from Minnesota.
“Unquestionably,” Hudson replied.
“Understood. Do you think it would have harmed the Democrats’ political standing with the Somali population by investigating this fraud? You are saying there was a political incentive to cover up the widespread fraud in Somalia. Is that correct?”
Hudson once again confirmed Gill’s thinking.
Democrats at the hearing, such as Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., pushed back on Gill’s characterization, cautioning against leveling a blanket indictment across the board against Somalis in Minnesota.
“When people commit fraud and people get hurt, there will be repercussions, as there should be. We want to hold foreign fraudsters accountable. We want to protect the victims, the innocent, so that those who can access services and continue to access them across the country. That’s how it should work,” Garcia said.
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Representative Robert Garcia, Democrat of California, during a press conference in front of the United States Capitol in Washington, November 18, 2025. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the House GOP whip, called out the Trump administration. expel Somalis convicted in connection with Minnesota fraud ring.
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Gill’s comments on the oversight committee also come as Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, introduced legislation On Tuesday, it would force U.S. refugees from Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Somalia to self-deport after 180 days.
