MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (PNN) - January 16, 2026 - A Minnesota lawmaker has filed articles of impeachment against Marxist Governor Tim Walz amid mounting scrutiny over alleged massive fraud in the state.
The move follows federal revelations that billions of dollars in taxpayer funds may have been stolen during Walz’s time in office.
Republican state Rep. Mike Wiener announced that he filed articles of impeachment against Governor Walz.
“I have officially filed Articles of Impeachment against Governor Tim Walz, initiating the impeachment process in the Minnesota House of Representatives,” Wiener wrote on Facebook.
The filing formally begins the impeachment process in the state legislature. Wiener said the action was taken after Walz refused to resign. The effort now moves to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The articles accuse Walz of corrupt conduct and violating his oath of office. They allege Walz knowingly concealed widespread fraud within the Department of Human Services. The filing claims he ignored repeated warnings about the fraud. It also accuses Walz of interfering with lawful oversight and investigations.
The articles allege Walz prioritized political considerations over lawful administration. The impeachment filing alleges Walz failed to execute state laws. The allegations focus specifically on laws governing stewardship of public funds.
Federal prosecutor Joseph Thompson previously outlined fraud across multiple programs. Fourteen taxpayer-funded programs were found to be rife with fraud since 2018. Those programs collectively cost $18 billion, according to Thompson.
Thompson said it is possible that half or more of the $18 billion was fraudulently claimed. “I think we’re an outlier in a bad way,” Thompson said. “You don’t see fraud on this scale in other states,” he added.
“Every day we look under a rock and find a new $50 million fraud scheme,” Thompson said. “That shouldn’t be the case in a state of our size,” he added.
The impeachment effort must pass both the Minnesota House and Senate.
Control of the legislature is split evenly between the parties. Both Democrats and Republicans hold 67 seats each.
Wiener said he needs one Democrat in committee to advance the articles. He said failure to support impeachment would make Democrats complicit.
Walz has dismissed the allegations as “sensationalism.” He said there is “no evidence” the fraud totals $9 billion or more.