• Facebook
• Twitter
• Threads
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email
• Add Fox News on Google

Minnesota fraud scandal is 'unlike anything we've ever seen,' former DHS official says

Former Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli unpacks outrage over fraud allegations in Minnesota on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.'

ICE accused Politico reporter Josh Gerstein of "inciting violence against federal agents" following a Monday night post on X in which he suggested that "at some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors" of home daycare centers in Minnesota would intersect with what he erroneously deemed the state's "robust stand-your-ground laws."

In a pointed Tuesday post on X, ICE told Gerstein, Politico's senior legal affairs reporter, that someone with his title should know better than to make social media posts that could incite violence against federal agents.

"You would think a ‘Senior Legal Affairs Reporter’ for POLITICO would know better than to tweet something inciting violence against federal agents," ICE wrote.

ICE PROBES SUSPECTED MINNESOTA FRAUD SITES AS OFFICIALS FOLLOW POTENTIAL $9B MONEY TRAIL

Gerstein's post appeared to reference an investigation by independent journalist Nick Shirley on alleged widespread fraud at Minnesota daycare centers, which went viral earlier this week.

In the 42-minute video posted to X and YouTube, Shirley documented visitsto several daycare centers in the blue state, many of which appeared largely inactive despite continuing to receive state funding.

ICE accused Politico reporter Josh Gerstein of "inciting violence against federal agents" following a Monday night post on X in which he suggested that "at some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors" of home daycare centers in Minnesota would intersect with what he erroneously deemed the state's "robust stand-your-ground laws." (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Gerstein faced widespread criticism on social media after posting the comment, with users accusing him of calling for violence and mocking his understanding of Minnesota's gun laws.

DHS UNLEASHES SCATHING RESPONSE AFTER WALZ ASKS AGENCY TO ‘REASSESS’ ENFORCEMENT

After the reporter's post had gone viral, Gerstein clarified his statement, commenting under his original post, "To observe that something is likely to happen or there's a serious risk of it happening is not to advocate for it happening."

Although Gerstein explained that his post was not an endorsement of violence against journalists, others did not see it the same way.

One commenter slammed Gerstein for "inciting people to shoot journalists investigating fraud," while keeping the threat "veiled enough" to avoid legal consequences.

Other X users called out the senior legal affairs reporter for failing to understand the difference between stand-your-ground laws — which Minnesota does not have — and Castle Doctrine.

ICE’s federal law enforcement officers take a suspect into custody in Houston, Texas, on Jan. 28, 2025. (ICE)

WALZ URGES NOEM TO 'REASSESS' IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY IN MINNESOTA AFTER ALLEGED CITIZEN ARRESTS

While Minnesota is not a stand-your-ground state, the state does follow the Castle Doctrine at home — so a person is not required to retreat from an intruder in their house — but outside the home, Minnesota law generally requires individuals to retreat if it is safe to do so before using force.

"Shouldn't a legal affairs reporter know the difference between stand-your-ground law and castle doctrine?" asked WTB radio host Pete Kaliner on X, adding that neither of which "apply to someone knocking on a commercial business's door."

Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein on the set of "Meet the Press" in Washington, D.C., on May 8, 2025. (William B. Plowman/NBC)

A community note was eventually added to Gerstein's post, correcting him on the specifics of stand-your-ground laws and how they can be exercised.

"Stand-your-ground laws remove the duty to retreat from a threat when a person is in a place they have a legal right to be. Knocking on the door of a supposedly public business does not constitute a threat, so stand-your-ground could not be invoked as a defense," the community note read.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Gerstein did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital.

• ·哪些人最应该喝酸奶？
• ·火爆!新浪专家6期命中8个双色球一等揽6942万
• ·未来艺术家成长营“上巳雅集”暨2024年开营活动举行
• ·宝坻电视台：走进潮白河国家湿地公园（一）
• ·鸣潮呜呜企划委托活动怎么做 鸣潮呜呜企划限时委托活动玩法攻略
• ·葛根粉糖糕的功效和做法
• ·盒马总部IP地址被山姆APP屏蔽？员工发文怀疑
• ·cad快速看图长度怎么看
• ·华润电力领导赴调研交流
• ·HCLTech将收购HPE旗下电信解决方案业务
• ·“友·诚”上海横滨友好书法展开幕
• ·威廉姆斯车队2017 马萨退役再复出加入威廉姆车队
• ·《乐高地平线冒险》PC版下载 Steam正版分流下载
• ·2025年精选唯美好听的歌词1句
• ·内马尔伴侣分享美照 穿紧身白裙优雅大方(图)
• ·第五届海峡论坛将开幕 泉州举办台湾特色庙会