Full Breakdown
Tensions Escalate at Senate Hearing Involving Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
2/12/2026, 9:36:52 PM
Heated Exchanges Over Fraud Allegations and Immigration Protests
During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Thursday, tensions flared between Republican senators and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. The hearing focused on allegations of fraud within Minnesota's social service programs and the state's handling of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) accused Ellison of encouraging unrest during recent protests, which he claimed contributed to the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, who were shot by federal immigration authorities. Johnson stated, “Attorney General, you did the exact opposite and two people are dead because you encouraged them to put themselves in harm’s way.” Ellison refuted these claims, asserting, “Everything you said was untrue. It was a nice theatrical performance, but it was all lies.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) also confronted Ellison, alleging his involvement in a fraud scheme linked to the Feeding Our Future nonprofit organization, which reportedly stole millions in federal funds. Hawley claimed, “You’ve been right at the center of this project from the beginning, and you’ve enabled it, and you should resign.” Ellison responded with equal fervor, stating, “You should resign. I was thinking the same thing about you.”
Background on the Fraud Allegations
The Feeding Our Future scandal has drawn significant attention, with allegations that state officials, including Ellison, were aware of fraudulent activities as early as 2019 but failed to act. Hawley accused Ellison of accepting campaign contributions from individuals connected to the fraud, stating, “You helped fraudsters defraud your state and this government of $9 billion — and you got a campaign contribution out of it.” Ellison denied these allegations, calling them “completely untrue.”
Official Statements & Responses
Ellison defended his actions throughout the hearing, emphasizing his commitment to the First Amendment and peaceful protest. He stated, “We at times said, ‘if you want to protest, protest peacefully, protest safely.’” In response to Hawley’s accusations regarding the Feeding Our Future scandal, Ellison claimed, “My team assisted with the information that led to the prosecution and conviction of these people.”
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Ellison, including Republican senators, have consistently targeted him over his handling of both the fraud allegations and the protests against ICE. Johnson and Hawley’s accusations reflect broader Republican frustrations with Minnesota's Democratic leadership, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and social service oversight.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While both Johnson and Hawley assert that Ellison's actions contributed to the unrest and fraud, Ellison maintains that he acted appropriately and that the accusations are unfounded. The discrepancies in their accounts highlight ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement and social service management.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You helped fraudsters defraud your state and this government of $9 billion — and you got a campaign contribution out of it,” — Senator Josh Hawley
- “Because everything you said was untrue. It was a nice theatrical performance, but it was all lies.” — Attorney General Keith Ellison
- “I can't imagine encouraging somebody that supported me politically to go and put themselves into harm's way.” — Senator Ron Johnson
- “Ellison retorted, “You should resign.” — Senator Josh Hawley
- “You should resign. I was thinking the same thing about you.” — Attorney General Keith Ellison
The hearing underscores the contentious political climate surrounding immigration enforcement and accountability in state governance, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions.
