by Deepika Shrestha ‘27

Daycares in Minnesota are under scrutiny because an unverified content creator decided to investigate “$110 million” in fraud from Somali business owners. Despite his suspicious claims and questionable reporting style, the federal government under the Trump administration immediately decided to listen to this content creator. The FBI opened an investigation while the Department of Homeland Security, under the direction of Kristi Noem, doubled-down on Operation Metro Surge that deployed nearly 3,000

Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), and caused terror and resistance in Minnesota.
In December 2025, conservative content creator Nick Shirely alleged fraud against day care owners from the Somali community in Minneapolis. Shirely went to different daycares and knocked on their doors inquiring about    enrolling a child. Some daycares were not open or refused to talk to Shirely, who claims he knew about fraud since June of 2025 while reporting on Islam and demographic changes. Shirely initiated his “investigation” after recieving a tip on the subject.

Due to Shirely’s claims, FBI Director Kash Patel ordered an investigation of the suspected fraud in Minnesota. At the direction of the Trump Administration, the Department of Human Health and Services (HHS)  froze approximately $10 billion in federal child care and family assistance funds for five Democratic-led states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York, citing  “serious concerns about widespread fraud and misuse” of funds. A federal judge in February granted a preliminary injunction against the freeze. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families found all the accused daycares are operating normally.

President Trump has spoken negatively about the Somali community in America. Trump has called them “trash” and said they “contribute nothing.” Shirely has garnered attention online so much that the Somalian community in Minnesota is facing harassment from around the country. The deployment of thousands of ICE officers in the city during Operation Metro caused widespread fear, protests, and unwarranted arrests.

The Trump administration should not believe a content creator with a disputable investigation to report a federal crime. The administration should rely on local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes such as fraud. That’s the way the rule of law is supposed to work.