Minneapolis, MN – December 30, 2025 – An explosive YouTube video posted by 23-year-old investigative journalist Nick Shirley has ignited a swift federal investigation into what authorities are calling a massive fraud scheme involving Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota. The video, released on December 26, alleges widespread misuse of funds from the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), prompting immediate action from top officials and raising concerns about national security implications.
In the video, Shirley and his team documented over a dozen childcare facilities that appeared largely vacant or underutilized, despite receiving substantial government subsidies. One center highlighted in the exposé reportedly pocketed $3.67 million in CCAP funds, while others were linked to a network potentially siphoning off up to $110 million through inflated enrollment claims and phantom operations. “These places look like ghost towns, but the money is flowing like a river,” Shirley narrated in the footage, which has since garnered millions of views and sparked heated online debates.
The revelations didn’t stay digital for long. On December 28 and 29, FBI Director Kash Patel and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem dispatched federal agents to raid several of the implicated sites. Patel described the case as “the tip of a very large iceberg,” hinting at deeper systemic issues within federal aid programs. He further escalated the rhetoric by warning that those involved in the fraud could face denaturalization proceedings if found to have exploited immigration status in their schemes. “We’re not just talking about stolen taxpayer dollars—we’re looking at threats to our communities and our borders,” Patel stated in a press release.
Noem echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for accountability in programs meant to support vulnerable families. “Childcare assistance should help working parents, not fund criminal enterprises,” she said. The joint FBI-DHS operation marks one of the fastest federal responses to a citizen-led tip in recent memory, underscoring the growing influence of independent journalists in uncovering public corruption.
The backlash against Shirley has been intense. Following the video’s release, the young YouTuber reported receiving serious threats, including death threats and online harassment. In response, conservative commentator Brandon Tatum stepped in, providing private security through his Blackline Guardian Fund. The fund has committed to covering Shirley’s protection indefinitely, a move praised by supporters amid widespread public calls for his safety. “Nick is a hero for shining a light on this darkness,” Tatum posted on social media. “We’ve got his back.”
This scandal echoes previous investigations into Minnesota’s childcare and food assistance programs, which have faced scrutiny for lax oversight and vulnerability to fraud. State officials have yet to comment on the federal probe, but sources indicate that local audits may follow. As agents continue their work, questions linger about how such large sums could go unnoticed and what broader reforms might be needed to safeguard public funds.
