UMVA has learned that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is speaking out over mounting questions from critics about her possible connection to the massive Feeding Our Future fraud scandal in Minnesota.
Omar flatly denied any knowledge of the scheme, stating in a written statement, "Any claim that I had knowledge of this scheme is flat-out false." She emphasized her commitment to feeding children and ensuring they do not go hungry.
The controversy centers around the MEALS Act, which was signed into law by President Trump and passed with bipartisan support. Omar pointed out that Trump's USDA Secretary set the regulatory framework during the rollout of the program.
When the fraud came to light, Omar said she immediately sent a letter to the USDA Secretary demanding answers and accountability. She expressed her outrage at the scheme, saying, "Stealing millions of dollars under the guise of feeding hungry children to bankroll lavish lifestyles and extravagant expenses is reprehensible."
Omar's comments come after she faced mounting pressure to explain her knowledge of and connections to the scandal that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. A Minnesota House committee had invited her to testify but claims she never responded, prompting an effort to subpoena information from her.
The committee's final report accused Gov. Tim Walz's administration of fostering a "culture of tolerance" that allowed fraudsters to steal billions in taxpayer dollars overall. The report also criticized Omar, asserting that her MEALS Act "took the guardrails off" federal nutrition programs.
The committee's Republican chair, state Rep. Kristin Robbins, expressed skepticism about Omar's statement, saying, "She only sent a letter once the fraud was exposed. Prior to that, she sent letters urging the administration to keep the waivers in place — allowing the fraud to continue. Sounds like revisionist history."
Robbins suggested that Congress should take action to enforce the subpoena and get more answers about questions related to Omar's alleged association with convicted fraudsters and her public promotion of a Minneapolis restaurant linked to the program.
A former Omar staffer had also pointed to Trump's USDA during his first term and downplayed the potential negative impact of Omar's MEALS Act legislation, adding to the controversy.
