WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch Tim Walz Bows Out of Re-Election / The Pentagon Censures Mark Kelly
Jan 6, 2026
Kim Strassel, a columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and Kate O'Dell, an editorial board member focused on national security, dive into the fallout from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's withdrawal from re-election amidst a massive welfare fraud scandal. They explore how internal party pressure may have influenced his decision and the shocking scale of fraud uncovered. The discussion shifts to the Pentagon's censure of Sen. Mark Kelly for controversial remarks on illegal orders, raising questions about political backlash and the urgent need for bipartisan support in defense.
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Walz Exits As Fraud Scandal Escalates
- Tim Walz dropped his reelection bid amid a growing Minnesota welfare-fraud scandal and party pressure.
- The scandal's political momentum and media attention made his path to reelection untenable.
Fraud Appears Systemic, Not Isolated
- DOJ investigations reveal massive, systemic fraud across Minnesota welfare programs, not isolated incidents.
- The scale—thousands of subpoenas and dozens of convictions—shows institutional weaknesses in program oversight.
Federal Funding Weakens State Oversight
- Federal funding can reduce states' incentives to police programs, creating oversight gaps.
- Expansive state programs combined with federal dollars invite complexity and exploitation.