Treasury Secretary Bessent slams Minnesota leaders, calls the state 'ground zero' for fraud

60-Second Summary

Visiting the Twin Cities, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent castigated Minnesota leaders, calling the state “ground zero” for a vast welfare scam and vowing to recover stolen funds and pursue fraudsters. Speaking at the Economic Club of Minnesota, he linked fraud, illegal immigration and what he called a lack of leadership from the Biden administration to the state’s woes, while promoting Trump economic policies and forecasting non-inflationary growth in 2026. He did not address the fatal federal immigration encounter that sparked protests. Bessent, also acting IRS chief, criticized taxes and regulation, saying they drive businesses and residents out.