• 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.

• ·名将杀霍去病最高难度千里单骑攻略
• ·小升初英语作文：I have a best friend
• ·《骗子酒吧》PC版下载 Steam正版分流下载
• ·เอไอกำลังมาแทนที่เทรนเนอร์ส่วนตัวในยิมหรือไม่ จากราคาที่ถูกกว่า ถามได้ทุกเมื่อ
• ·奥乐齐即将首进南京，四店同开，致力于成为"宁"买菜做饭首选
• ·AI漫画功成名就？集英社回应漫画大奖得主被质疑用AI创作
• ·极限强者之路 《Cabal1.5》强强相争决斗2015
• ·《离开的时限》(任和演唱)的文本歌词及LRC歌词
• ·我去玩《天祭》你便是主角
• ·สภาพอากาศกรุงเทพฯ ทุ่มนี้ ไม่มีฝน อุณหภูมิ 28 องศาฯ
• ·雷军：骂小米确实有流量，但是一定要客观，不要故意抹黑
• ·《你画我猜》PC版下载 Steam正版分流下载
• ·OpenAI的家务机器人售价2万美元｜直击CES
• ·《冲天一声吼》(尚桐演唱)的文本歌词及LRC歌词
• ·快乐奶奶中2122万彩票大奖 立即约个SPA放松放松
• ·5000个四色分类垃圾桶落户东西湖！怎么分类丢垃圾你会吗？