Sparks flew on Capitol Hill Thursday morning as Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison engaged in a heated shouting match during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing focused on a federal investigation into fraud in the state.
At issue is an alleged scheme that federal prosecutors estimate resulted in the theft of millions of dollars in federal funds designated for Minnesota social service programs. Hawley wasted no time leveling sharp accusations at Ellison, claiming the attorney general was at the center of the controversy.
“You’ve been right at the center of this project from the beginning, and you’ve enabled it, and you should resign,” Hawley said during his questioning.
Ellison fired back immediately.
“You should resign. I was thinking the same thing about you,” he responded.
The exchange quickly escalated, with Hawley raising his voice as he accused Ellison of complicity and even suggested the attorney general should be “indicted.” Ellison forcefully denied the allegations.
Hawley also claimed that Ellison and his family benefited from the fraud scheme. A Minnesota whistleblower has alleged that Ellison and other state officials were aware of the fraud as early as 2019 but failed to take action.
“For the record, he’s lying, and that’s the truth,” Ellison said in response to Hawley’s claims.
Tensions were evident from the outset. Ellison declined to directly answer Hawley’s opening question confirming his job title, prompting a sharp retort from the senator.
“Mr. Ellison, you’re in my courtroom now, you’re under oath, so I suggest that you answer my questions,” Hawley said.
Committee Chair Rand Paul, R-Ky., stepped in several times in an effort to restore order.
“I think we’ve made a point,” Paul told Hawley at one juncture.
But Hawley pushed back.
“Oh I’ll ask how I want to, Senator Paul,” he said.
The exchange grew even more personal. At one point, Hawley told Ellison, “It’s my hearing, pal.” Ellison shot back, “Don’t call me pal.”
“I should call you prisoner because you ought to be in jail,” Hawley replied.
Ellison has long drawn scrutiny from Republicans. In January, he was among several Minnesota officials subpoenaed by the Justice Department over allegations that state officials interfered with a federal immigration operation. Since that enforcement effort began, Ellison has filed multiple lawsuits challenging federal actions in the state.
Thursday’s hearing included a panel of Minnesota officials alongside Ellison, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Minnesota state House GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska, and Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell.
A second panel featured U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow, Customs and Border Protection Director Rodney Scott, and acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons. Chairman Paul had requested their appearance following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
Ellison also faced criticism from Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Ashley Moody, R-Fla. Johnson accused the attorney general of contributing to the deaths of two individuals killed by federal law enforcement in Minnesota.
“Attorney General, you did the exact opposite and two people are dead because you encouraged them to put themselves in harm’s way,” Johnson said.
Ellison rejected the accusation.
“It was a nice theatrical performance, but it was all lies,” he said.
The contentious hearing underscored deep partisan divisions over accountability, federal enforcement, and the handling of alleged fraud in Minnesota.
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