Trump administration freezes child care funds over fraud schemes
AP News••nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration is freezing child care funds to all 50 states pending more verification of programs, with a particular focus on Minnesota due to alleged widespread fraud in Somali-run day care centers.
- Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, condemn the move as politically motivated and warn that abrupt funding cuts could harm families and child care providers.
- The administration demands enhanced documentation such as attendance records and licensing reports, while investigations into fraud are expanding to other programs and states, including California and New York.
- Somali community members and child care providers in Minnesota report harassment and fear amid the scrutiny, with some centers facing increased audits despite asserting compliance and denying fraud.
- The freeze threatens $185 million in annual
