Politics

Tim Walz Weak Racism Fears Cost Minnesota Taxpayers Over $1 Billion

Published

1 month ago

December 4, 2025

VORNews

Minnesota Gov Tim Walz Weak Racism Fears

MINNEAPOLIS – In Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Somali immigrants have built strong neighborhoods, busy businesses, and visible political influence. Their presence has reshaped parts of the state, especially areas like Cedar-Riverside in Minneapolis, often called “Little Mogadishu.”

At the same time, investigators now describe a very different story. Federal and state probes say more than $1 billion was stolen from public aid programs, much of it through schemes led by individuals with ties to the Somali community. These programs were meant to support low-income families, hungry kids, homeless residents, and children with autism.

At the center of the political storm stands Governor Tim Walz. Critics say his administration failed to act on clear warning signs, which allowed fraud to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walz rejects that charge and says legal barriers and a focus on fairness limited what the state could do.

What began as a few unusual reports of inflated meal counts in child nutrition programs soon grew into a scandal on a national scale. U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson has called it “the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme in American history.”

So far, prosecutors have won 59 convictions, with many more charges pending. The fallout has fueled national arguments about immigration policy, welfare oversight, and political courage. Former President Donald Trump and other critics accuse Walz of avoiding tough action because he feared being attacked as a racist. Walz says that the charge is unfair and insists he followed the law.

Minnesota has the largest Somali community in the United States, with more than 80,000 residents, many of whom arrived as refugees from the civil war in the 1990s. They have opened shops and restaurants, run nonprofits, served in public office, and become an important voting bloc. Investigators stress that a small group, not the community as a whole, abused the state’s generous safety net.

According to federal filings, this group set up fake nonprofits and sham service sites that drew in huge sums from programs intended for food aid, housing support, and autism services.

The Feeding Our Future Scandal: 125 Million “Phantom” Meals

The core of the story is the Feeding Our Future case. Federal prosecutors say it was a $250 million scheme that involved 70 defendants, nearly all of Somali background.

From March 2020 through January 2022, the nonprofit founded by Aimee Bock sponsored more than 250 supposed food sites across Minnesota. Prosecutors say many of these locations barely served anyone, if they operated at all.

The group allegedly:

Submitted bills for about 125 million meals that were never provided
Created fake rosters of children, using online name generators
Filed false paperwork with the Minnesota Department of Education to trigger reimbursements

One small restaurant in Willmar, which served only dozens of real customers each day, claimed it provided 1.6 million meals in just 11 months. Investigators say its operators then paid themselves roughly $40,000 a month in kickbacks.

Loosened Pandemic Rules Opened the Floodgates

To keep kids fed during COVID-19 closures, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) relaxed rules for meal programs. The goal was speed, not bureaucracy.

These temporary waivers allowed:

Minimal or no in-person site inspections
Participation by for-profit groups
Fast payments with far less verification

A June 2024 state audit hammered the Minnesota Department of Education for “inadequate oversight.” Claims jumped by 400 percent, yet the agency did little to question the surge. The audit concluded that both actions and failures to act “created opportunities for fraud.”

Whistleblowers say they raised red flags early, but Walz’s team avoided strong action because they did not want conflict with Somali community leaders, who are viewed as an important part of the Democratic base. Walz and his staff reject that accusation and say they followed federal rules and relied on law enforcement.

Beyond Meals: Housing and Autism Programs Exploited

Feeding Our Future turned out to be only one part of a much broader problem. Federal and state investigators have uncovered at least two more major schemes, which they say could push the total fraud past $750 million on top of the meal program case.

Housing Stabilization Fraud

One group of suspects is accused of abusing housing stabilization programs that were designed to help people on the edge of homelessness.

Investigators say fraudsters:

Pretended to be service providers
Claimed to help clients who did not exist
Billed the state for rent assistance and services that never happened

Authorities say the money funded luxury lifestyles. Court filings describe suspects buying Rolex watches, Lamborghinis, and real estate in Ethiopia with stolen funds.

Autism Services Scheme

The autism services fraud followed a similar pattern. According to prosecutors, several providers filed bogus claims for therapy that never took place.

Authorities say defendants:

Falsely diagnosed children to qualify them for intensive therapy
Submitted inflated bills for sessions that were not delivered
Paid parents kickbacks to sign forms and stay quiet

The cost of the autism program exploded, rising from $2.6 million in 2020 to $104 million in 2024. Officials say much of that growth came from false claims.

A Billion-Dollar Hit And A Community Under Scrutiny

Taken together, prosecutors estimate that these schemes stole more than $1 billion from public programs. So far, 86 people have been indicted, and 78 of them have Somali roots or heritage. Fifty-nine have already pleaded guilty.

Investigators say the stolen money did not only pay for designer clothes or luxury cars. Some of it moved overseas.

Law enforcement sources say millions of dollars flowed out of the U.S. through hawala, an informal money-transfer system that is common in Somalia. A City Journal report, based on unnamed federal counterterrorism officials, claimed that part of the stolen money ended up with Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked group that controls areas in Somalia.

No terrorism charges have been filed. Still, the report was serious enough that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an inquiry on December 1. He pledged to track where the money went and to follow any links to extremist groups.

Congress Steps In: Subpoenas For Walz And Ellison

The scandal has drawn the attention of Washington. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has launched his own investigation and issued subpoenas to Governor Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

In a sharply worded letter, Comer accused the “Democrat-controlled administration” of allowing “millions to be stolen” through weak oversight and possible retaliation against whistleblowers. He claimed that state leaders failed to act, tried to downplay concerns, and may have shielded politically connected figures.

Comer also cited a recording in which Walz spoke about helping Feeding Our Future representatives and referenced campaign donations from Somali leaders. The committee wants all emails, texts, and internal memos related to what the administration knew and how it responded, including any effort to slow or limit investigations.

Whistleblowers Say Warnings Were Silenced

A group of current and former state workers has gone public with their anger. An X account that said it represented 480 employees at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) posted a series of claims accusing top officials of blocking their efforts to uncover fraud.

The account, later renamed “Minnesota Staff Fraud Reporting Commentary,” called Walz “100% responsible” for what happened. The posters say staff raised concerns about strange billing patterns and fake clients, but instead of support, they received “monitoring, threats, repression,” and personal attacks on their credibility.

More than 400 DHS workers backed those posts on social media, saying management stripped auditors of real power in order to avoid political backlash. According to them, the message from above was clear: do not rock the boat.

Walz’s office has called these descriptions inaccurate and politically driven. They say the governor backed law enforcement cases and now supports reforms to strengthen oversight.

Inside The Somali Community: Shame, Fear, And Frustration

Some of the loudest critics of the fraud come from within the Somali community itself. Many residents feel betrayed and worry about lasting damage to their reputation.

Kayseh Magan, a Somali-American and former fraud investigator, wrote in a 2024 opinion piece that the state’s hesitation to act early had a cultural angle. He said many community members were not ringleaders but felt pressured to join schemes or keep quiet. In his view, state agencies held back because they feared being accused of bias.

A nonpartisan audit later backed part of this picture and found that agencies sometimes tolerated obvious red flags to avoid discrimination complaints. Walz strongly rejects the idea that politics or race-based fear guided his decisions.

On NBC’s Meet the Press, Walz said, “Certainly, I take responsibility for putting people in jail. It’s not just Somalis. Minnesota is generous, but that attracts criminals.” Critics note that while federal prosecutors moved quickly, the state brought fewer cases until the scandal exploded in the press.

Trump’s Harsh Rhetoric Turns Fraud Into An Immigration Flashpoint

Former President Trump has used the Minnesota scandal to push for tougher immigration rules. On Truth Social, he said the state is a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and pledged to deport offenders “back to where they came from.” He also called for ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis.

Trump claimed, without evidence, that “hundreds of thousands” of Somalis are abusing U.S. aid programs. His statements have raised fears in the Somali-American community and energized supporters who favor tighter borders and stricter benefits rules.

His allies in Washington are now pushing for:

Slower asylum approvals for Somali applicants
Review of existing green cards
Broad checks on aid programs in states with large refugee communities

Immigration groups warn these moves punish honest families for crimes committed by a small group of offenders.

Leaders Push Back On Collective Blame

Somali community leaders, along with many elected officials, say fraud must be punished but warn against blaming an entire community.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) have both spoken out about a rise in hate incidents targeting Somali residents. They urge the public and media to focus on those charged or convicted, not on ethnicity.

Governor Walz has echoed that message. He has urged Minnesotans not to “paint an entire group with that same brush” and points to his executive order creating a fraud task force and a new inspector general role at the Department of Education.

Republicans remain unconvinced. Potential 2026 gubernatorial challenger Scott Jensen says, “Walz’s incompetence cost us a billion, time to clean house.” Right-leaning media and activists have built a steady drumbeat around the scandal, tying it to a broader claim that Democratic-led welfare programs invite abuse.

The Real Human Cost: Families Left Behind

Behind the headlines and political battles, real people were supposed to receive this money.

Children missed meals when food funds were drained. Homeless families stayed on waiting lists while fake clients got checks. Kids with autism went without therapy sessions as bad actors billed the state for services they never delivered.

IRS agent Justin Campbell called the schemes “the epitome of greed.” The comment reflects what many investigators say they saw: public dollars meant for those in real need turned into luxury spending.

Single mother Aisha Hassan, who relies on legitimate aid to support her children, told VORNews that her benefits were delayed as the state scrambled to sort through claims. “We came here for hope, not handouts,” she said. “This hurts us all.”

Lavish Spending And Harsh Sentences

Federal case files read like a catalog of excess. Defendants posted photos of $1.2 million homes in suburbs like Edina, vacations to Dubai, and high-end cars. Some wore $100,000 Rolex watches while claiming to help families in poverty.

Prosecutors say one man, Abdihakim Osman Nur, used stolen funds to buy a large Minnesota home and invest in Somalia. Aimee Bock, the Feeding Our Future founder, was convicted in March on wire fraud and bribery charges and faces a potential sentence of more than ten years. Co-defendant Salim Said received 15 years for his role.

These stiff sentences are meant to send a message. Federal officials say they want to show that large-scale fraud against pandemic programs will bring serious punishment.

National Debate: How Weak Were Federal Safeguards?

The scandal has raised tough questions about how the federal government structured emergency aid.

Experts point to the USDA’s pandemic waivers, which were supposed to clear red tape so hungry children got meals. In practice, those relaxed rules gave scammers a wide opening.

Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute says these programs reveal how public benefits can be abused when identity checks and in-person reviews are weak. She has called for tools like biometric verification and frequent site visits before public money is released.

Democrats argue that fraud is not limited to one race, program, or political party. They point to white-collar crimes in areas like Medicare billing and corporate tax evasion. Still, even many of them admit that Minnesota’s fraud numbers are on a different scale than usual state-level scandals.

Walz’s Response: Reforms, AI Tools, And Political Fallout

Supporters of Governor Walz say he has taken meaningful steps since the scandals broke.

His administration has:

Tightened audits of food, housing, and healthcare programs
Invested in AI-based fraud detection systems
Reorganized parts of the Department of Education and DHS
Helped recover roughly $50 million in stolen or misused funds

Critics say these moves came too late and only after federal agents exposed the damage. They also point to reports that Walz and his son accepted campaign donations from some figures later tied to the scams, a detail that Rep. Comer has seized on.

Public trust appears shaken. A December poll shows Walz’s overall approval dropping to 48 percent. Among independents, 62 percent say they want stronger accountability from the governor and his team.

In “Little Mogadishu,” Repairing Trust From The Ground Up

In Cedar-Riverside and other Somali neighborhoods, community leaders are trying to repair both internal trust and public perception.

Mosques and community centers now hold workshops that explain fraud laws and warn residents about joining shady businesses. Imams speak during Friday sermons about honesty, public funds, and the religious duty to stay away from corruption.

One elder told VORNews, “We fled war for peace. Don’t let thieves steal our future too.” That mix of pride, shame, and determination is common in local conversations.

Many residents say they want harsh penalties for those who stole money, in part so the wider public understands that the community does not stand with them.

A Warning For The Rest Of The Country

Minnesota’s scandal is more than a local embarrassment. It offers a warning to every state that rushed out billions in emergency aid with limited checks during the pandemic.

Key questions linger:

Did fear of racism claims cause leaders to ignore early signs of wrongdoing?
Were state agencies simply overwhelmed and unprepared?
How can governments protect public money without punishing honest families who need help?

As 2the 026 elections draw closer, voters will decide how much blame to place on Tim Walz and his administration. Walz says he welcomes scrutiny and stresses that there will be “no pardons for fraudsters here.”

For now, a state once seen as a model of generous social programs is forced to confront how that generosity was abused, and what it will take to rebuild faith in both the system and the leaders who run it.

Politics

Tim Walz Exposed For Faking Financial Records In State Audit

Published

3 days ago

January 11, 2026

VORNews

MINNESOTA – A new report from Minnesota’s nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) is putting Governor Tim Walz’s administration under fresh pressure. The audit, released earlier this month, reviewed the Department of Human Services (DHS) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and found that state staff created and backdated documents during the audit process.

Auditors say the records appear to have been made to cover for weak oversight and questionable grant payments tied to more than $425 million in taxpayer funds.

The report adds to a growing list of concerns around fraud and waste in Minnesota social services. Walz announced on January 5, 2026, that he will not run for re-election. Many critics link that decision to the string of scandals and investigations that have followed his administration.

Major Problems With Grant Oversight

The OLA report runs about 70 pages and focuses on behavioral health grants paid out from July 2022 through December 2024. Auditors listed 13 key findings, including several problems flagged in earlier reviews. The report described repeated breakdowns, such as:

Missing required progress reports from grantees
Payments were approved even when the paperwork was late or incomplete
Weak monitoring, including site visits that were not done or not documented
Heavy use of non-competitive single-source grants without clear support for the decision

Over the period reviewed, BHA awarded more than $425 million to about 830 organizations, mostly outside government. The money was meant to support mental health care and substance use disorder services. Auditors said BHA lacked basic internal controls to track performance and confirm proper use of funds, which increased the risk of fraud and misuse.

One example in the audit drew sharp criticism. A grant manager approved a payment of nearly $680,000 to a single grantee for one month of work, and the file did not show proof that the services were delivered. The employee left state service days later and took a consulting job with the same organization. That sequence raised serious conflict-of-interest concerns.

Audit Says Walz Staff Fabricated and Backdated Documents

The most serious finding involved the audit itself. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall said the office saw signs of a “systemic effort” to alter the record, something she described as unheard of during her 27 years with OLA.

Auditors found cases where records were created after the audit began and then dated to look older. In one example, documents claimed monitoring visits happened in May 2024, October 2024, and January 2025. Auditors concluded those records were actually created in February 2025, after the audit was already underway and information requests were out.

Randall called the practice unacceptable and said it damaged trust in the review process. The report suggests the altered paperwork was used to make long-running oversight problems look fixed after the fact, instead of addressing them in real time.

Part of a Larger Wave of Fraud Claims

The DHS audit lands during a broader crackdown on alleged fraud in Minnesota’s public programs. Federal and state investigators have been looking into suspected wrongdoing that could add up to billions of dollars across Medicaid, child care, housing stabilization, and nutrition assistance programs. More than 1,000 current and former workers have come forward as whistleblowers, alleging retaliation, deleted data, and pressure to stay quiet about fraud reports.

Congress has also taken an interest. The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), has expanded its review of Minnesota’s handling of these programs. Comer has publicly blamed Walz for ignoring warning signs and has called on Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify in February 2026. He has also pushed for cooperation with document requests.

Minnesota Republicans, including Rep. Kristin Robbins, say the state ignored auditor warnings and whistleblower complaints for years, with some concerns dating back to 2009.

DHS Response and Growing Calls for Accountability

Acting DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi said she was alarmed by the findings about backdated records and promised a full internal review. She also said DHS plans to tighten training, supervision, and internal controls.

Critics say those steps should have happened long ago. House Speaker DeMuth described the report as proof of a culture marked by fraud, negligence, and deception, and called for immediate reforms and possible prosecutions. Some federal lawmakers have warned that funding could be at risk if the state cannot show stronger accountability.

Walz has defended his administration in past disputes by pointing to third-party audits, paused payments in higher-risk areas, and new anti-fraud efforts. Still, the latest audit raises hard issues about who knew what, who allowed weak controls to continue, and whether anyone will face criminal charges for falsifying public records.

What This Means for Public Trust

This audit is not just about paperwork problems. It goes to public trust in the state government. The grants were meant to help Minnesotans dealing with mental illness and addiction. Auditors say the funds went out without strong safeguards, and when oversight finally arrived, staff allegedly tried to recreate a paper trail to show compliance.

With investigations still active at the state and federal levels, the fallout could shape the final chapter of Walz’s time as governor. For many Minnesotans, the biggest issue is simple: they want clear answers, real consequences, and proof that taxpayer dollars will be protected going forward.

Related News:

JD Vance Exposes Walz’s Fraud and CNN’s Lies in White House Presser

Politics

Sen. Joni Ernst Targets Minnesota Nonprofit Amid Fraud Scandal

Published

5 days ago

January 9, 2026

VORNews

Sen. Joni Ernst Targets Minnesota Nonprofit

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, is moving to stop more than $1 million in federal funding set aside for a Minnesota addiction recovery nonprofit. She says the earmark raises red flags tied to Minnesota’s widening nonprofit fraud scandals.

The group, Generation Hope MN, is Somali-led and has drawn attention for listing the same address as a Somali restaurant and for links to well-known Democratic lawmakers.

Ernst plans to offer a Senate amendment that would shift the money away from the nonprofit and send it to fraud detection and enforcement instead. Her move adds to a growing GOP push for tighter controls on federal spending, especially in Minnesota, where investigators say major social service programs have been exploited for large sums.

Ernst Moves to Re-route the Money

“The amount of fraud coming out of Minnesota is shocking, and I’m worried we’re only seeing part of it,” Ernst said in a statement. “Congress should fix the problem, not keep feeding the same system that let it happen.”

The funding totals $1,031,000 for Generation Hope’s “Justice Empowerment Initiative.” The program is described as offering substance use recovery support, mental health services, job training, and educational help for East African residents in the Twin Cities. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) requested the earmark, and Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith backed it in the Senate.

Generation Hope MN started in 2019 as a 501(c)(3). On its website, it says its mission is to build “a better, safer, and more connected community” for people dealing with addiction within the broader East African community.

Recent reports, though, have raised concerns about its setup. Those reports point to the nonprofit’s registered address above a Minneapolis Somali restaurant and claim that several leaders share the same home address.

No charges have been filed against Generation Hope. Still, Ernst and other critics say the group’s profile looks similar to patterns seen in Minnesota’s fraud cases, where some nonprofits have been accused of abusing federal and state programs.

Political Connections Add More Attention

Omar, Klobuchar, and Smith have supported programs tailored to immigrant communities across Minnesota, including the state’s large Somali-American population. Omar’s office has promoted the earmark as part of efforts to address opioid addiction in her district.

Critics say the request lands at a sensitive time. Minnesota remains under heavy scrutiny after major federal investigations into nonprofit fraud. The best-known case involves Feeding Our Future, a now-closed organization accused of taking $250 million from a federal child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors have charged more than 70 people in that case. They say the losses reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Other probes have focused on Medicaid-funded autism services, housing stabilization programs, and childcare-related spending. Together, alleged misuse across programs could exceed $1 billion. Many defendants in these cases are Somali, though prosecutors say the schemes involve people from many backgrounds.

Ernst’s staff says they found the Generation Hope earmark while reviewing a broader spending package. She argues that putting the money into Department of Justice enforcement work would do more for taxpayers than sending it to an organization now facing questions.

ACLJ Files FOIA Requests for Records

The dispute escalated after conservative attorney Jay Sekulow said the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) filed several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests tied to Minnesota grant programs.

On his radio show and social media, Sekulow called it a “major FOIA” push to “gather intel” on what he described as large-scale fraud being uncovered in the state. The requests went to agencies that include the Department of Health and Human Services, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, and the Governor’s Office. They seek documents tied to grant oversight and investigations, including alleged fraud connected to daycare and other social service programs.

The filings reflect a wider demand from conservative groups for more public records and clearer oversight. Sekulow has criticized what he calls weak guardrails, saying, “That’s not compassion. That’s corruption,” in recent broadcasts.

What This Means for Minnesota Nonprofits

The fraud cases have put Minnesota in the national spotlight. They have also led to congressional hearings and pauses on some federal payments. The Small Business Administration has opened probes into Somali-linked organizations, and Senate Republicans, led by Ernst, have asked for detailed reports on which programs were hit.

Supporters of community-based funding say these programs serve people who often struggle to access help, including immigrants facing language and cultural barriers. Generation Hope has not been named in any active prosecution. Offices for Omar, Klobuchar, and Smith have not responded to requests for comment on Ernst’s amendment.

As Congress works through the spending bill, Ernst’s proposal could slow the larger package and force a fight over earmarks and oversight. With fraud estimates rising and politics heating up ahead of the midterms, the battle over Generation Hope’s funding has become part of a bigger debate about how federal dollars should flow to nonprofits.

For taxpayers, the focus remains on whether new safeguards will stop future abuse or whether more cases are still waiting to surface.

Politics

Iran’s Exiled Crown Prince Urges Khamenei’s Removal

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2026

Jeffrey Thomas

Iran's Exiled Crown Prince Urges Khamenei’s Removal

TEHRAN, Iran – A new wave of nationwide protests is putting heavy pressure on the Islamic Republic, in what many describe as the biggest challenge since the 2022 Mahsa Amini demonstrations.

Crowds in cities across Iran have marched for 11 straight days, chanting against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and calling out the name of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as a sign of change. The unrest has reached more than 21 provinces, fueled by a sharp economic crisis and growing public anger.

The current protests began on December 28, 2025. They first centered on rising prices, a falling rial, and shortages of everyday goods. Early scenes from Tehran’s Grand Bazaar showed people rallying over the cost of living. Within days, many demonstrations shifted into direct demands to end the current system of rule.

Human rights groups that have reviewed and verified videos say chants have been heard in cities including Isfahan, Mashhad, and Ilam. Protesters have shouted “Death to the dictator,” aimed at the 86-year-old Khamenei, along with “Reza Shah, bless your soul,” a slogan that recalls the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty.

In Tehran, clashes have been intense. Riot police on motorcycles have pursued demonstrators through city streets, using tear gas and live ammunition, according to reports and video shared by monitors. On Tuesday, confrontations near the main market reportedly left several people wounded as shopkeepers joined in. Western Iran and smaller towns have also seen strong turnout, with security forces struggling to slow the pace of protests.

Rights groups, including Iran-based monitors, say at least 36 people have been killed since the unrest began. Hundreds more have been injured, and thousands have been arrested. Khamenei has publicly acknowledged economic complaints, but he has also described the demonstrations as “riots” pushed by foreign enemies.

Reza Pahlavi’s Message From Exile Gains Traction

Reza Pahlavi, 65, the son of Iran’s last shah, has become a key figure for many protesters. Speaking from the United States, he released a video message in Farsi this week that spread widely online. He urged people inside Iran to unite around disciplined, large-scale action. He also called for coordinated chants at set times and said change should not depend on foreign military involvement.

“I am more ready than ever to return to Iran and lead the transition to democracy,” Pahlavi said, while stressing that any shift must be driven by Iranians themselves.

In several cities, pro-monarchy chants have returned, including “Javid Shah” (Long live the king) and “This is the final battle; Pahlavi will return.” The slogans have been heard from Arak to Rasht, pointing to renewed interest among some groups in secular and nationalist options against clerical rule.

Pahlavi has spoken positively about recent U.S. actions abroad while continuing to frame change in Iran as an internal effort. His comments have also boosted activity among the Iranian diaspora, with rallies reported in cities such as London and Paris, as international leaders watch events unfold.

Security Crackdown Intensifies as the Death Toll Rises

Iranian security forces, including the Basij militia and the Revolutionary Guards, have responded with harsher tactics. Verified footage shared by activists shows officers beating protesters and firing into crowds. There have also been reports of night raids and internet blackouts in provinces such as Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Ilam, steps that appear aimed at disrupting coordination.

Activists have documented at least 36 deaths, while warning that the real figure could be higher. In one reported incident, a police colonel was killed during clashes in Tehran. Kurdish and Baloch opposition groups have issued threats of retaliation, with one coalition claiming responsibility for targeting a law enforcement officer.

In his first comments last week, Khamenei promised to “put rioters in their place.” He also signaled limited openness to discussing economic problems, similar to his approach during the 2022 unrest. That has not eased the anger. Judiciary officials have also warned that there will be no leniency for people accused of “helping the enemy.”

Iran’s crisis has gained extra attention because of major news out of Venezuela. On January 4, U.S. forces under President Donald Trump captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in an operation that led to his detention in New York on drug charges, according to reports. Trump has publicly praised the move, saying he plans to “run” Venezuela’s oil resources and warning other authoritarian governments.

Some protesters in Iran have responded by calling on Trump directly. Videos show crowds chanting pleas such as “Don’t let them kill us,” and some clips show streets being renamed after Trump. Signs have also appeared with messages like, “Trump, help us like you helped Venezuela,” reflecting fear of a violent crackdown and hope for outside backing.

Trump said last week that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the U.S. “will come to their rescue.” Iranian officials have condemned the Venezuela operation as a breach of sovereignty, and the comments have increased anxiety inside the regime about foreign action.

Reports Claim Khamenei Has a Backup Plan to Flee to Russia

As protests continue, Western media outlets have cited intelligence reports claiming Khamenei has a fallback plan to leave Iran for Moscow if security forces lose control. The plan reportedly includes travel with up to 20 relatives and aides, with support from Russia. If true, it highlights how much Tehran depends on close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

There have also been unverified claims that Iraqi militias could enter Iran to help with a crackdown. Similar rumors have circulated during past protest waves. At the same time, internet disruptions and heavy security deployments in Tehran point to a government under strain and trying to regain control.

In Tehran today, the mood remains tense and unsettled. Demonstrations have continued despite large security deployments, with 19 protests in the capital reported since Monday. At night, chants of “Don’t be afraid, we are all together” have echoed from neighborhoods, while bazaar merchants and students keep pushing back against pressure to stay home.

Kurdish political groups have backed calls for a nationwide general strike on Thursday, which could raise the stakes even more. With inflation climbing and water shortages looming in some areas, many people say daily life is becoming harder by the week.

No one can say for sure whether this movement will force real change or face another brutal crackdown. But for many Iranians taking the risk to protest, the message is direct: they don’t want decades more of unchecked theocratic rule.