• 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.

• ·特步被黑得最惨的一次：宁要京东脸盲男，不要阿里特步男
• ·暗区突围2024最新CDK兑换码 暗区突围兑换码大全
• ·永续环境某中试项目课题顺利通过专家评审 绿色技术赋能环保产业升级
• ·“六一”节，奥运冠军钟天使和“小天使”们一起做了这件事……
• ·欧冠巅峰对决成主帅保卫战 皇马主场翻身可博胜
• ·【文明村镇巡礼】走进春天里的美丽乡村
• ·“水哨兵”智能国标化验室，让水质监测数据更准、更稳、更智能
• ·ทล.เปิดให้ขึ้นฟรี M6 บางปะอิน
• ·《我心里危险的东西》剧场版PV公开！夜鹿新曲献唱
• ·各种煲汤的方法及注意事项
• ·三万现金扔垃圾桶厂家从这个聚宝盆看出人的心态
• ·炉石传说奥丁战卡组深暗领域 炉石传说奥丁战卡组代码2024
• ·卡包荒野英魂祭坛逃课方法分享
• ·鄂尔多斯的这匹“蒙古马”能发电
• ·让车企甘之如饴的智驾自研，正在成为“行业毒药”
• ·AFC báo tin cực vui với tuyển Việt Nam