Vice President JD Vance is calling for the resignation of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following the release of a state legislative audit that details extensive fraud and oversight failures within Minneapolis-area Department of Human Services grant programs.

Speaking forcefully, Vance said the evidence leaves only two explanations: either Governor Walz was aware of the misconduct or failed to act despite clear warning signs. “I think Tim Walz should resign because it’s very clear either that he knew about the fraud in Minneapolis, or at the very least, he looked the other way,” Vance stated.

The audit, released in January 2026, found that DHS staff fabricated and backdated documents to conceal oversight breakdowns, allowing millions of taxpayer dollars to be distributed to unverified or nonexistent services. According to auditors, funds flowed to early childhood education and behavioral health programs that overstated enrollment, failed to deliver services, or could not demonstrate that services were provided at all.

Vance dismissed attempts to downplay the misconduct, characterizing it as blatant and unsophisticated. “This is not movie villain fraud. This is the lowest IQ possible fraud,” he said, arguing that the scale and simplicity of the deception point to systemic negligence rather than isolated errors. He further criticized the standards applied to publicly funded education programs, remarking that institutions unable to meet basic requirements should never have received taxpayer support.

The Vice President framed the issue as one of basic governance and public trust. In his view, the failure to prevent or correct the abuse represents a fundamental breach of responsibility at the highest levels of state leadership. The audit’s findings, he argued, reflect a culture where accountability was absent and warning signs were ignored.

The controversy has intensified pressure on Minnesota’s leadership as lawmakers and watchdog groups review the scope of the damage and consider potential criminal referrals. While Governor Walz has not announced any plans to resign, the findings have amplified bipartisan calls for reforms to grant oversight, internal controls, and executive supervision.

As scrutiny deepens, the dispute underscores a broader national debate over transparency, stewardship of public funds, and the consequences faced by elected officials when systemic failures occur on their watch.