Republicans are increasingly optimistic about flipping a U.S. Senate seat in the traditionally blue stronghold of Minnesota, a shift fueled by a massive fraud scandal that has already led to Democratic Governor Tim Walz dropping out of his re-election campaign. As the 2026 election cycle approaches, the GOP sees a rare opening to reclaim the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D), potentially upending the state’s Democratic dominance.

The core of the GOP’s momentum lies in the fallout from what investigators describe as the largest theft of taxpayer funds in American history. A sprawling network of fraud involving programs like “Feeding Our Future,” Medicaid exploitation, and autism services has allegedly bilked billions from state and federal coffers. The Department of Justice has already secured 64 convictions among nearly 100 defendants, many of whom are of Somali descent. Furthermore, the Treasury Department is investigating reports that stolen funds were funneled through “hawalas” to the al-Qaeda-linked terror group Al-Shabaab.

New internal polling from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) indicates significant vulnerability for the two leading Democratic contenders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig. According to the survey, 55% of likely voters hold the Walz-Flanagan administration responsible for the misuse of funds, while 69% expressed concern over Rep. Craig’s handling of the issue.

The scandal has created a “messy” Democratic primary. While Craig represents the party’s more centrist wing, Flanagan’s candidacy is defined by a hard-Left record that has drawn both high-profile endorsements from figures like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and intense national scrutiny over state-level scandals.

Flanagan has consistently aligned herself with radical leftist causes, often centering her leadership on identity-based advocacy. She has been a vocal supporter of Minnesota’s Somali community; the most recent example was a video that went viral over Christmas showing her wearing her version of a hijab and pledging to “have the back” of Somali immigrants against the federal government.

After President Donald Trump scorched Minnesota’s Somali community over allegations of massive welfare fraud and ties to terrorism, Flanagan posted on Instagram to sneer: “You know, this vile, racist stream of consciousness from a President ‘Old Man Yells At Cloud,’ you’re disgusting.”

Flanagan’s record on social issues is equally polarizing. She was a primary architect of Minnesota’s “Trans Refuge” laws, which grant the state emergency jurisdiction over children seeking so-called gender-altering medical procedures, even without parental consent.

With 50% of respondents stating they are more likely to support a GOP candidate pledging stronger audits and oversight, the NRSC believes Minnesota is firmly “in play.” As Republicans fight to protect their 53-47 Senate majority, the combination of fiscal corruption and radical social experimentation has provided the GOP with the political ammunition necessary to potentially turn this deep-blue state red.

Just seven years ago, Democrats around the country embarked on a campaign to essentially abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to President Donald J. Trump’s lawful immigration enforcement actions during his first administration. One prominent Democrat, David Garcia, who couldn’t help but fall into this lawless rhetoric, hailed from my state of Arizona. The most notable statement that landed Garcia in trouble was when he said, “Trump’s immoral actions – which Ducey has enabled – demand that we rebuild our immigration system that reflects our American values.” Because, in large part, of Garcia’s attitude about ICE, he lost the November General Election to incumbent governor Doug Ducey.

History is repeating itself in 2025, as Democrats again find themselves on the opposite side of law and order, demonizing the brave men and women who serve at ICE, Border Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies. While federal agents apprehend criminal illegal aliens in communities across America, Democratic officials are taking to the streets, airwaves, and digital spaces to impede or foment outrage against the enforcement actions. Due to these antics, the lives and livelihoods of these brave men and women in law enforcement – and even those engaging in the riots or protests – are being jeopardized. We saw this play out in Minneapolis this week, where a protester was tragically killed because she appeared to be driving her vehicle straight at an officer, who reacted in self-defense. The dichotomy playing itself out in front of the American people couldn’t be starker.

These actions are not laughing matters, nor protected by the Bill of Rights as some clueless radicals wrongfully assert. Because of the hatred toward the heroes of ICE and other federal law enforcement attempting to carry out their sworn duties, agents are experiencing more injuries and threats. A recent study from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showed there was a “1,150% increase in assaults and violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement officers (238 reported assaults) as compared with the same period in 2024 under the Biden administration (19 reported assaults).” According to the DHS report, these acts of violence include “hitting, spitting, kicking and biting during arrests, vehicle ramming, open gunfire, and throwing of Molotov cocktails.”

One recent fiasco involved newly minted U.S. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, who has attempted to grab headline after headline to artificially launch herself into national prominence since winning her special election earlier this fall. Grijalva took umbrage at ICE agents in Tucson, Arizona, conducting an operation against an alleged transnational criminal organization that was believed to be involved with labor exploitation, and tax and immigration violations. The Special Agent in Charge stated that the investigation, which predated the Trump Administration, uncovered human smuggling and trafficking.

So, what did Grijalva do for law enforcement officers helping to clear her community of alleged human traffickers? Did she thank them? Did she call on members of her community to support their lawful efforts? No, she did the opposite. An ICE statement showed that Grijalva “joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement officers, then took to social media to slander law enforcement by falsely claiming she was pepper sprayed.” Videos of the interaction that day back up the ICE account of the scene. Sure enough, two agents on the Homeland Security Investigations Special Response Team were injured during the events on the ground.

Unfortunately, this Grijalva episode is par for the course for how Democrats are choosing to deal with President Trump’s actions to enforce American laws and remove criminal illegal immigrants from our streets. Almost every day in the country, we have been subjected to violent clashes between federal law enforcement officers and rioters intent on stopping the government from protecting our communities. This narrative threatens to strip our proud nation of the principles that have made the United States the greatest country in world history, one being that we join together to uphold the law and support the officials who are tasked with doing just that. What should be a sense of unity that transcends party affiliation is grossly tearing apart the fabric of America and will prove to be our undoing unless it is stopped in its tracks.

As Army General and engineer Henry M. Robert once said, “Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of liberty.” We are seeing the results of this quote play out in front of us. Democrats, in standing against federal law enforcement’s efforts to apprehend criminal illegal aliens, are compromising Americans’ liberties in their pursuit of eviscerating any semblance of law and order. Under the Democrats’ schemes, Americans are less safe, less prosperous, and less free. Democrats have again chosen their path; now, law-abiding Americans around the country must choose theirs.

I choose to stand with our ICE agents as they boldly execute their lawful charges against those illegally in our nation, many of whom have committed offenses other than simply crossing into the United States without authorization. However, it is sad that we must take sides. This reality is not becoming of a world superpower, nor will it lead to stability going forward. Our children and grandchildren will surely pay the price for this fracture. This nation will not survive long without borders or a commitment from its people to unashamedly enforce our laws.

So, as we prepare to commemorate America’s 250th birthday in just a handful of months, let us choose to support the efforts of government officials to restore law and order to our streets and remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities. These men and women are heroes, and they deserve our praise and support for their actions. The United States of America stands with ICE.

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Warren Petersen is President of the Senate in Arizona.

The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.