The Trump administration is investigating whether Minnesota state welfare funds were diverted to the terrorist group al Shabaab, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday.

Allegations stem from reports that millions from Minnesota programs, including a $250 million fraud scheme involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, may have ended up in the hands of the group.

Minnesota Republicans, including Rep. Tom Emmer, have urged federal prosecutors to examine the claims, while Governor Tim Walz welcomed an investigation and emphasized he would cooperate.

Critics, including Trump, have linked Somali immigrants in Minnesota to fraud, though officials and community leaders say most are victims of these schemes.

Previous state audits found no concrete evidence of welfare funds reaching terrorist organizations, with prosecutors stating fraudsters sought personal gain, not to finance overseas terrorism.