Abby Phillip clashes with Scott Jennings over Minnesota fraud scandal

CNN host Abby Phillip argued that the idea that “no one has been held accountable” for the widespread fraud reported in Minnesota is “completely false” and that the abuse “was not just left to run rampant.”

On Monday’s broadcast of “CNN NewsNight,” Phillip sparred with CNN’s Scott Jennings over the handling of the fraud scandal that broke out in Minnesota; Jennings argued that not enough was done to resolve the situation and prevent future abuses.

“The idea that nothing was done, that no one was held accountable, that this situation was allowed to run rampant is completely false,” Phillip said.

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Jennings pushed back on that claim, acknowledging that “some people were held accountable” but agreed with many Republicans who felt those involved were not brought to justice “not nearly enough.”

“And honestly, until someone in a position of power — someone who is in an elected position in Minnesota, who is responsible for managing this or has some oversight over it — goes to prison, this will honestly never stop,” he added.

The conservative commentator went on to address what he called “rampant fraud” occurring in “blue states across the country,” pointing to reported fraud of $9 billion in Minnesota and $70 million in California.

“When is someone in a position of power going to jail for widespread fraud?” he asked. “You can put all the low-level people you want in jail, but it won’t stop until someone responsible is in jail!”

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Phillip countered Jennings’ opinion by mentioning various fraudsters who have been pardoned by President Donald Trump, and asked Jennings “where’s the same energy” when it comes to the president pardoning people convicted of fraud.

“I have no defense against anyone who commits fraud. Fraud is bad,” he replied. “But I’m telling you, as far as these states and territories are concerned, it’s public money, it’s taxpayers’ money.”

CNN political commentator Scott Jennings attends the “Common Sense Revolution” Book Launch on December 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Citing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s comments last year boasting that his state would provide $316 million in direct funding for child care providers, Jennings added that elected officials are responsible for the taxpayer-funded programs they oversee; this industry has since faced widespread allegations of fraud.

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Some Republican lawmakers in Minnesota issued a statement Monday calling for Walz to resign in light of the fraud scandal that has escalated during his tenure.

Earlier this month, federal prosecutors announced that a fraud scandal in Minnesota, originating primarily in the state’s Somali community, could cost taxpayers up to $9 billion.

Republicans call for Walz to resign on Monday viral video That video, which journalist Nick Shirley saw more than 100 million times on X and highlights suspected scam daycare locations, led to even greater scrutiny of Walz.

GOP lawmakers in Minnesota are calling on Gov. Tim Walz to resign over the exploding fraud crisis. (Getty Images)

“The governor has worked for years to crack down on fraud and seek greater authority from the state Legislature to take aggressive action,” a spokesperson for Walz told Fox News. “It has strengthened oversight, including launching investigations into these specific facilities, one of which was already closed.”

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The spokesman added that Walz “hired an outside firm to audit payments to high-risk programs, completely shut down the Housing Stabilization Services program, appointed a new statewide program integrity director, and supported criminal prosecutions.”

Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.