Abby Phillip clashes with Scott Jennings over Minnesota fraud scandal

CNN anchor Abby Phillip said the idea that “no one is held accountable” for widespread fraud what was reported in Minnesota is “completely false” and that the abuse was not “left to run wild.”

On a Monday broadcast of “CNN NewsNight,” Phillip clashed with CNN’s Scott Jennings over the handling of Minnesota’s explosive fraud scandal, with Jennings arguing that not enough had been done to resolve the situation and prevent future abuse.

“This idea that nothing is being done, that no one is being held accountable, that this has just been left out in the wild, is completely false,” Phillip said.

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Jennings pushed back on that claim, conceding that while “some people have been held accountable,” he agrees with many Republicans who believe “not enough” of those involved have been brought to justice.

“And honestly, until someone in a position of power – until someone in a position in Minnesota, elected, who was responsible for administering this or providing some oversight of this – goes to prison, honestly, this will never stop,” he added.

The conservative commentator then cited what he called “widespread fraud” taking place in “blue states across the country,” pointing to $9 billion in fraud reported in Minnesota and $70 million in California.

“When will someone in a position of power go to prison for widespread fraud?” » he questioned. “You can put all the low-level people you want in jail, but until someone responsible goes to jail, it won’t stop!”

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Phillip countered Jennings’ point by mentioning various fraudsters who have been pardoned by the president. Donald Trumpasking Jennings “where is that same energy” when it comes to the president pardoning people convicted of fraud.

“I have no defense for anyone who commits fraud. Fraud is bad,” he responded. “What I’m telling you, though, is that in the case of these states and localities, this is public money, taxpayer money.”

Jennings added that elected officials are responsible for the taxpayer-funded programs they oversee, referring to Minnesota’s governor. Tim WaltzComments last year boasted that his state would provide $316 million in direct funding to child care providers — an industry that has since faced numerous allegations of fraud.

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Several Minnesota Republican lawmakers released a statement Monday calling for Walz’s resignation in light of the ongoing fraud scandal that has escalated during his tenure.

Earlier this month, federal prosecutors revealed that Minnesota’s fraud scandal, which primarily affects the state’s Somali community, could cost taxpayers as much as $9 billion.

Republicans’ call Monday for Walz’s resignation comes shortly after a viral video by journalist Nick Shirley, viewed more than 100 million times on X, highlighting suspected fraudulent daycares, has drawn even greater scrutiny of Walz.

“The governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and has asked the state Legislature for more power to take aggressive action,” a spokesperson for Walz told Fox News. “He increased oversight, including launching investigations into these specific facilities, one of which was already closed.”

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The spokesperson added that Walz “hired an outside firm to audit payments to high-risk programs, completely shut down the Housing Stabilization Services program, announced the appointment of a new statewide director of program integrity, and supported criminal prosecution.”

Andrew Mark Miller of Fox News contributed to this report.