• 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.

• ·男子自带蓝牙音响假装扫码付款 店家被骗121元
• ·奔奔王国英雄转盘避坑指南攻略
• ·iPhone18 Pro上热搜：外观感受下 多位网友吐槽丑
• ·《死首残蜕》PC版下载 Steam正版分流下载
• ·养老金最新消息2018年 全国养老金入市规模已达5300亿元
• ·坚决抵制！ CDPR称AI无法创造《巫师5》、《巫师6》
• ·田馥甄台北举办新专辑记者会 全专辑10首新曲精华抢先曝光
• ·“菲”常幸福·快乐“童”行！淮海中路街道举行欢庆“六一 ”活动
• ·让智能计算无处不在，高通ChinaJoy AIGC大会展望终端侧AI行业赋能
• ·《执念师2》过半联盟“阴谋”初现端倪 艾晓琪为救人命悬一线
• ·从“广东绿肺”到“算力心脏”，这还是你认识的韶关吗丨解码广东“十四五”
• ·崩铁：刚拒绝面试，被琥珀王看上
• ·达喀尔拉力赛第一赛段：西班牙新星卡内特领跑摩托车组
• ·中国水网：连续11年荣膺中国水业十大影响力企业
• ·勇闯热血传奇元宝秘境，丰厚奖励等你来拿！
• ·《战争灾难葛底斯堡》PC版下载 Steam正版分流下载