{"id":2547876,"date":"2026-01-22T12:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T17:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bernie-sanders-says-fraud-in-minnesota-is-disgusting\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T12:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T17:55:15","slug":"bernie-sanders-says-fraud-in-minnesota-is-disgusting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bernie-sanders-says-fraud-in-minnesota-is-disgusting\/","title":{"rendered":"Bernie Sanders says fraud in Minnesota is \u2018disgusting\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbernie-sanders-says-fraud-in-minnesota-is-disgusting%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2547876&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Sen. Bernie Sanders condemned the Minnesota &#8220;Feeding Our Future&#8221; fraud as &#8220;disgusting behavior,&#8221; saying it is especially egregious to steal funds meant to feed hungry children. Speaking on the Theo Von podcast, Sanders called for severe punishment of those involved in the scheme that prosecutors say diverted roughly $250 million from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/covid-relief-fraud-likely-the-biggest-fraud-in-u-s-history\/\" title=\"COVID Relief ... Likely the Biggest ... in U.S. History\">federally funded child nutrition program<\/a> during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities have charged 78 defendants in the case, with more than 60 pleading guilty or convicted at trial; most are from East Africa or of Somali descent. Sanders distinguished between what he called &#8220;real&#8221; nutrient fraud and what he viewed as an exaggerated narrative about empty child care centers, noting videos and investigations that prompted congressional scrutiny. He agreed the scandal damages public trust but argued that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >broader systemic reforms-holding officials accountable<\/a> and running a cost-effective government-are needed to curb widespread fraud and revitalize democracy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Bernie Sanders says fraud in Minnesota is &lsquo;disgusting&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bernie-sanders\/\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT) called the scheme in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a> that defrauded organizations feeding hungry children &ldquo;disgusting behavior,&rdquo; becoming the latest progressive lawmaker to condemn the scandal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Fraud is disgusting, especially to steal money from hungry kids for a program to feed hungry kids,&rdquo; Sanders said on the <em>This Weekend with <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3869055\/theo-von-says-being-featured-in-dhs-video-made-him-scared\/\"><em>Theo Von<\/em><\/a>  podcast. &ldquo;That is probably as bad as it gets.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4429348\/house-tucks-repeal-500k-senate-arctic-frost-benefit-in-government-funding-bill\/\">House tucks repeal of $500,000 Senate &#8216;Arctic Frost&#8217; benefit in government funding bill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4427238\/grassley-corrects-record-save-act-not-opposed\/\">Grassley corrects record on SAVE Act: &#8216;I&#8217;m not opposed&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4424381\/boomer-texas-millennial-candidates-battle-ages\/\">OK boomer: Texas millennial candidates welcome battle of the ages<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexa-tpm7317.slack.com\/archives\/C05FCJ08MB9\/p1768927584544159\">WHO WAS INVITED TO BE ON TRUMP&rsquo;S &lsquo;BOARD OF PEACE&rsquo;?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sanders was referring to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4417747\/somali-fraudster-feeding-our-future-scheme-ties-recent-recipient-minnesota-funding\/\">Feeding Our Future<\/a> fraud in which individuals exploited $250 million from the federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>There have been 78 defendants charged in connection with the scheme, with more than 60 either pleading guilty or being convicted at trial.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sanders said the people involved in the Feeding Our Future <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4426404\/house-committee-investigating-minnesota-fraud-threatens-medicaid-funding\/\">fraud scheme<\/a> should be &ldquo;severely punished.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care if you&rsquo;re Somali, if you&rsquo;re green, you&rsquo;re blue, whatever you are,&rdquo; Sanders said. &ldquo;That should be punished. That is disgusting behavior.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Nearly all of the defendants and convicted conspirators are from East Africa or of Somali descent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While Sanders said he believes there was &ldquo;massive fraud&rdquo; in terms of child nutrients, he said the alleged child care scheme is &ldquo;largely exaggerated.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think you can take a camera and go someplace, and the child care center is closed, and so &lsquo;oh, nobody is there,&rsquo;&rdquo; Sanders said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think that child care is an issue, but the nutrient issue is real.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Sanders was referring to a video by independent content creator Nick Shirley, who visited child care centers in Minnesota to uncover alleged fraud. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4428034\/house-lawmakers-interview-nick-shirley-minnesota-fraud-scandal\/\">Shirley testified<\/a> before the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/judiciary-committee\/\">House Judiciary Committee<\/a> on Wednesday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Podcast host Theo Von said the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4417351\/federal-prosecutor-minnesota-fraud-scandal-resigns-us-attorney-office\/\">fraud in Minnesota <\/a>makes people distrust the government managing their tax dollars.<\/p>\n<p>Sanders admitted Von was right, but also pushed back, arguing that context matters<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got over 340 million people in this country, guess what, a lot of them are dishonest,&rdquo; Sanders said. &ldquo;Our politicians are dishonest, the business people are dishonest, the media people are dishonest; that is the reality.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4427524\/vance-minneapolis-amid-trump-ice-crackdown\/\"><strong>VANCE HEADING TO MINNEAPOLIS AMID TRUMP&rsquo;S ICE CRACKDOWN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sanders said the solution is that the country needs to &ldquo;revitalize.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is fraud all over the place in this country, and we&rsquo;ve got to try our best to eliminate that,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But, at the end of the day, we&rsquo;ve got to revitalize our democracy, we&rsquo;ve got to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-democrats-h-r-1-is-a-power-grab-would-undermine-states-election-rules\/\" title=\"Republicans: Democrats\u2019 H.R. 1 Is a Power Grab, Would Undermine States\u2019 Election Rules\">hold elected officials accountable<\/a>, [and] got to run a cost-effective efficient government.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sanders: Minnesota child-feeding fraud &#8216;disgusting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3984,"featured_media":2547877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Bernie-Sanders.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[32175,32360,32644,5698,5894],"class_list":["post-2547876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-bernie-sanders","tag-election-fraud","tag-election-integrity","tag-minnesota","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Bernie-Sanders.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3984"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2547876"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547876\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2547880,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2547876\/revisions\/2547880"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2547877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2547876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2547876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2547876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}