• 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.

• ·高手过招，列位看官请欣赏
• ·秀恩爱！维尼修斯与女友合照 甜蜜亲吻脸颊(图)
• ·周雨彤亮相PSALTER诗篇20周年快闪，演绎智趣暖冬！
• ·湘博文物数据资源融合获评国家首批20个“数据要素×”典型案例
• ·墨剑江湖伙伴怎么搭配 墨剑江湖最强伙伴搭配攻略
• ·我都成黄金圣斗士了，金手指才来
• ·新疆丝路文化特展在成都金沙遗址博物馆开幕
• ·秀恩爱！维尼修斯与女友合照 甜蜜亲吻脸颊(图)
• ·雷军：现在听到营销两个字都有点恶心
• ·龙海市智能垃圾分类箱的设计指标是怎么样的
• ·龙海市智能垃圾分类箱的设计指标是怎么样的
• ·太原康祺科技发展有限公司总部
• ·HunterLab推出Agera® L2
• ·新疆丝路文化特展在成都金沙遗址博物馆开幕
• ·弗雷德聚氨酯有限公司
• ·盘点万界战力等级，论外吓尿诸天