Skip to content 1/5/2026 The Arrest of a Foreign Dictator and Big News Following a Welfare Fraud Investigation in Minnesota Jan 5 · 59 min ...more
1/5/2026 The Arrest of a Foreign Dictator and Big News Following a Welfare Fraud Investigation in Minnesota
January 5, 2026 · 59 min
Tony and guests investigate various aspects of arresting Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and MN Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that he won't run for re-election amid a massive fraud investigation.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
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January 5, 2026 · 59 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Video
Tony and guests investigate various aspects of arresting Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and MN Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that he won't run for re-election amid a massive fraud investigation. ...more Show the full description Show less Tony and guests investigate various aspects of arresting Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and MN Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that he won't run for re-election amid a massive fraud investigation.
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In this video 0:00 Breaking News: Maduro's Capture and Global Reactions18:23 Unpacking the Minnesota Welfare Fraud Scandal29:52 Venezuela's Criminal Regime: Legal and Military Insights
Breaking News: Maduro's Capture and Global Reactions 0:00 Hello. I'm Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and host of Washington Watch. Thanks for tuning in. Every day, we offer a biblical perspective on the news as well as insightful interviews with elected0:11 leaders, newsmakers, and culture experts. We have a great program planned for you today, but first, get up to speed on the top headlines with Washington Stand's news brief.0:27 Welcome to the Washington Stand news brief. I'm Sarah Holliday with today's top stories. In a stunning military operation over the weekend, US special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicholas0:38 Maduro and his wife. The raid marks the largest US intervention in Latin America since the 19 89 Panama invasion. The couple was swiftly transported to New York where Madero0:50 appeared in federal court today. Ultimately, he pleaded innocent and a second court date has been set for March seventeenth. The deposed leader faces long standing narco1:02 terrorism and drug trafficking charges. Such charges include the accusation that Madera was heading a corrupt regime, partnered with cartels like Mexico's Sinaloa, Colombia's FARC1:13 rebels, and Venezuela's own Trende Aragua gang, all geared toward a specific goal, to flood the US with thousands of tons of dangerous life threatening drugs.1:26 Meanwhile, Maduro's capture alone has led to thousands of Venezuelans across the globe to erupt in joyous celebrations. At the same time, nations like China,
1:38 Russia, Iran, Mexico, and others have responded with skepticism or even outright condemnation. Domestically, opinions appear split along partisan lines with
1:49 debates raging over the actions constitutionality and implications for US foreign policy. State secretary Marco Rubio addressed the controversy during an interview with ABC News.
2:02 Why wasn't congressional authorization necessary?
2:06 It wasn't necessary because this is not an invasion. We didn't occupy a country. This was an arrest operation. This is a law enforcement operation. He was arrested on the ground in Venezuela by FBI agents. Bred is right
2:16 and removed from the country. You can't congressionally notify something like this for 2 reasons. Number 1, it will leak. It's as simple as that. And number 2, it's an exigent circumstance. It's an emergent thing that
2:27 you don't even know if you're gonna be able to do it.
2:29 This remains a rapidly developing story. So we'll continue monitoring for updates. Shifting to the Middle East, mass protests have been sweeping across Iran.
2:41 Initially, sparked by economic woes like skyrocketing inflation and currency collapse, it seems to have escalated into widespread calls for regime change. The demonstrations have
2:53 spread across dozens of cities with reports of security forces using tear gas and live ammunition against protesters. Reportedly, at least 16 people have been killed. In
3:04 response, Trump shared this warning concerning Iran's security forces.
3:09 We're watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they're gonna get hit very hard by the Can I ask
3:18 that? Before that comment, Trump had hinted already at coming to the protesters aid should they face violence, explicitly stating, we are locked and loaded and ready to go.
3:29 However, he didn't specify what actions he would take or if he would actually take them. Lastly, back home, Minnesota governor Tim Walz has abruptly ended his
3:41 bid for a third term. This announcement comes just days after the Trump administration froze all federal childcare payments to the state over a massive day care fraud scandal. The
3:52 scandal exploded just before the New Year when viral videos from independent journalist Nick Shirley exposed seemingly empty daycare centers of allegedly pocketing millions in taxpayer funds.
4:05 Federal prosecutors have estimated up to 9000000000 dollars in fraud across Minnesota's social programs, all under the governor's watch. And so the Department of Health and Human Services has slammed the
4:16 brakes demanding audits and proof of legitimate spending. According to officials, they are turning off the money spigot to stop the bleed in order to sort out this mess. And those
4:28 are today's headlines. I'm Sarah Holliday. Dive deeper with the Washington Stand at washington stand dot com. And for more stories that matter, be sure to tune in to the Washington Stand news brief
4:48 tomorrow.
4:52 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and sound bites into conversations with our nation's leaders and newsmakers,
5:04 makers, all from a biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.
5:10 Overwhelming American military power, air, land, and sea was used to launch a spectacular assault. And it was a an assault like people have not seen since
5:23 World War 2. It was a force against a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas to bring outlaw dictator
5:35 Nicholas Maduro to justice. This was 1 of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might and competence
5:48 in American history.
5:51 How was president Donald Trump highlighting the successful US military operation that captured Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro? Happy New Year, and welcome to this January fifth edition of Washington Watch. I'm your
6:03 host, Tony Perkins. Thanks so much for joining us. Well, coming up, Venezuela's deposed leader Nicolas Maduro made his first court appearance in New York, pleading not guilty to narcoterrorism and other
6:14 charges. United Nations officials, including UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, warned the US operation may have been illegal. We'll speak with former DOJ prosecutor Richard Gregory to break it all
6:26 down. Plus, Minnesota governor Tim Walz drops his reelection bid amid a 9000000000 dollar welfare fraud scandal. Federal funding has been frozen frozen and hearings are now underway.
6:38 Is this yet another example of government largesse fueling corruption? Assistant secretary for family support at the Department of Health and Human Services, doctor Alex Adams, will join us later.
6:54 Well, as I mentioned, Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court today to US narco narcotics and weapons charges following his capture by American special
7:06 forces in the capital of the South American country. Prosecutors accused Maduro of leading a long running cocaine trafficking operation linked to violent criminal groups. Maduro denies
7:18 the allegations. Now the arrest has drawn international condemnation and raised legal questions over the US operation. Joining me now is Washington Sand reporter Sarah Holliday, who has been
7:29 following today's main stories. Sarah, Maduro and his wife both appeared briefly in court as Venezuela's government remains in place. What did we learn from today's hearing?
7:40 Thank you, Tony. Maduro pleaded not guilty to 4 charges, including narco terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy. And he said through an interpreter that he
7:52 is innocent. His wife, Celia Flores, also entered a not guilty plea. Prosecutors say Maduro oversaw drug trafficking for years, working with Mexican cartels and
8:04 Colombian guerrillas. Defense lawyers said they expect a legal fight over what they called a military abduction. Meanwhile, the United States defended the operation at an emergency
8:16 UN Security Council meeting. Here is what the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, said at the meeting.
8:22 There is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country. This was a law enforcement operation
8:36 in furtherance of lawful indictments that have existed for decades. The United States arrested a narco trafficker who is now going to stand trial in
8:48 the United States in accordance with the rule of law for the crimes he's committed against our people for 15 years.
8:58 Tony, Russia, China, and Colombia condemned the move, warning it violates international law and risks destabilizing the region. Tony.
9:09 Well, thank you, Sarah Sarah. We're gonna talk, more about, Venezuela a little bit later and drill down on some of those, arguments. Democratic Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who was Kamala Harris's
9:20 running mate in 2024, will not seek a third term. Now he steps aside as federal investigators expose fraud in the state's welfare program. Sarah, other than a potentially
9:32 9000000000 dollar fraud investigation, why is, Walls leaving the race now?
9:40 That's right, Tony. Tim Walls announced earlier today that he will not run for reelection to focus on welfare fraud allegations that have shaken his administration. Here's
9:52 what he had to say at a press conference.
9:55 Every minute that I spend defending my own political interest would be a minute I can't spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who want to prey on our
10:06 differences. So I've decided to step out of this race, and I'll let others worry about the election while I focus on the work that's in front of me for the next year.
10:16 Federal authorities say the scandal involves up to 9000000000 dollars in misused taxpayer funds with at least 56 people pleading guilty. Critics say the crisis
10:28 highlights mismanagement under walls, while Republicans see an opening to reclaim the governor's office. Potential candidates, including senator Amy Klobuchar, are now weighing a run-in November.
10:40 Tony?
10:41 Alright, Sarah. Interesting. We'll be watching that 1 over the, the next several months. So New York mayor, Zoran Memdani, the first Muslim and self described democratic socialist to hold the
10:53 office of mayor of New York City, has revoked several executive orders that were put in place by former mayor Eric Adams, including protections for Jewish New Yorkers and restrictions on boycotts of
11:05 Israel. Sarah, how has the, the Jewish community there responded?
11:12 The Jewish community is concerned, Tony. Mamdani, as you mentioned, a socialist democrat overturned Adams' orders that safeguarded Jewish New Yorkers and limited city
11:24 support for boycotts of Israel. He also scrapped the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, which critics say weakens protections
11:35 against hate. Israel's foreign ministry condemned the move, saying Mamdani shows his true face by lifting restrictions on boycotts and discarding internationally recognized
11:47 antisemitism standards. They called it, quote, antisemitic gasoline on an open fire. While Mamdani frames the changes as promoting civil rights, opponents warned they put
11:59 New York's Jewish community at risk and send a troubling message globally.
12:05 Right. I think it certainly does. Thanks so much, Sarah, for bringing us up to date on the headlines for today. These are all stories that we'll be continuing to watch. Alright. I wanna go back to the US operation in
12:16 Venezuela and get the perspective of a member a member of congress who's actually dealt with foreign drug cartels. Joining me now is congressman John Maguire, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and
12:28 the Oversight and Government Reform Committees. He is also a Navy SEAL veteran who has deployed on missions against cartels across South and Central America. He represents the fifth congressional
12:40 district of Virginia. Congressman Maguire, welcome back to Washington Watch. Happy New Year. Great to see you.
12:47 Yeah. Happy New Year, Tony. Great to see you. Really appreciate what you do. Yeah. You know, I back in the nineties, my seal team and I, we did counter drug missions in just about every country in South or Central
12:58 America. But 1 country that stood out was Venezuela. It was clean. It was safe, and it was prosperous. You'd go to a restaurant in the city of Caracas, and you would see Porsches and Ferraris. And
13:10 then Chavez brought in socialism, Maduro. And what socialism does is it puts the boot on people's neck. It creates tyranny, and it makes everyone poor. And the country is unrecognizable. And I
13:22 wouldn't even it's almost like not even a country now. It's more of a proxy for Iran, Russia, and China. But by the grace of God, our incredible military, president Trump's leadership, Pete Hegseth,
13:36 the entire military got in, got out, didn't lose 1 person, didn't lose any equipment, Rubio, general raising cane, our law enforcement, just by the grace of God, they got that done. And I'm so glad that we
13:48 got them in and out. No 1 got killed.
13:50 So so congressman, let's in fact, in in just a little bit, the president and his team will be briefing, some of the the members of congress on this. But let's let's talk a little bit about the the rationale here, the
14:02 impact upon the United States. Why, was this an issue for the United States?
14:09 Well, you know, I I actually joined SEAL team 4 after SEAL training. I replaced a guy. We lost 4 guys in Bravo platoon, SEAL team 4 back at during the invasion of Panama with Noriega. And think about how
14:20 much money we spent, how much time it took to get Noriega. And these guys went in and got out so easy. It just shows you how far we've come. But if you remember under the Biden DOJ, they indicted,
14:34 Menduro for this, drug trafficking and human trafficking, all the problems that he's caused in our country. You remember you may remember there's a 25000000 dollar price on his head. It went to
14:45 50000000 dollars. And in Colorado, these Venezuelan gang members took over an apartment complex at gunpoint and cut the fingers off of people that would speak up on it. And
14:57 so they brought unspeakable evil into our country, and president Trump sent a loud message across the world that we're gonna defend the American people at home and abroad, and our hemisphere and our country
15:09 are now safer. So it's, it was an arrest. It was a law enforcement military operation. He is now on US soil, and, of course, he was, brought before the judge today.
15:20 So he was basically I mean, he he there there's questions about the legitimacy of his election as president. That's been questioned not just by the United States, but a multitude of of nations. But he's basically
15:32 running a criminal conspiracy, there with, drug lords and others as as a part of running these drugs into the United States. So there there clearly was a concern
15:44 on behalf of the United States and the impact it was having here on our country.
15:49 Well, big time. In fact, he caused a lot of disruption in the region and our country. And, you know, I think you remember Lake and Riley was killed by Venezuelan, and there's so many deaths like hers around this country
16:01 that could have been prevented. And I've knocked on 6 doors in my district where a mother or a father prayed with me and cried with me because their 18, 19, 20 year old son or daughter is
16:13 dead. Now we've lost more people from overdose since 20 20 than died in World War 2. And if that's not a war, I don't know what war is. So we have got to stop that, and president Trump and
16:24 his administration are saying no more. We're going for American, accept, accept exceptionalism, and we're gonna keep American people safe.
16:33 Well, congressman, I would agree with that, and I do think we have to address the the the supply side of drugs. And that's long been a focus of American foreign policy. But I would also say that this
16:45 administration, and I've repeatedly said this, needs to focus on the the demand side. And we have to be asking the questions, why do we have more people using drugs, illegal drugs in this country that's fueling
16:57 those deaths that you made reference to?
17:00 Well, it's interesting to say that. Well, first of all, you think about this. Drug trafficking across the world's ocean has dropped 97 percent in the last month or so for some reason. But when I knocked on these
17:11 doors, where these parents prayed with me, they would say something to the effect. And I'm talking big mansions all the way down to people that live in mobile home, you know, trailer courts. It doesn't matter what your
17:22 race, religion, creed, or money situation is. People are dying and being poisoned. But the I had 1 parent say that my child was a 4.5 GPA student, never smoked cigarettes or anything, just went to a party
17:34 and tried something, and it was laced with fentanyl or something in the cocaine or marijuana, and it killed their kid. So I you're right. We've got we could figure that answer out. We could solve a lot of problems. Why
17:45 is there a demand? Because if we don't get rid of the demand, these these cartels and these drug dealers are gonna figure out a way to get their drugs here.
17:53 You're right. And I think it's it's a that's a community, focus. It's not just the government. I mean, I think it it speaks to an underlying, both spiritual and a moral issue that
18:05 we have to address that the government can't. I just think that we need to put more of an emphasis on, you know, the supply, as well as the, or the demand as well as the supply. Congressman Maguire,
18:17 always great to see you. Thanks so much for, joining us today, and thanks again for your service to our country. I do think, you know, we're gonna look at
Unpacking the Minnesota Welfare Fraud Scandal
18:29 this more, throughout the rest of this program. I think there is justification what the Trump administration did and how they went about it. There's precedent there. Again, I think we need to look at this problem that
18:41 our nation is facing holistically. There's some personal responsibility here as well. Alright. We're gonna be looking at the scandal in Minnesota. Don't go away.
18:54 The book of Hebrews says that the word of God is living and active, sharper than any 2 edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the
19:05 thoughts and intentions of the heart. Stand on the Word is Family Research Council's journey through the living and active word of God. Follow the plan with us. Spend
19:17 10 to 15 minutes a day reading God's word. And over the course of 2 years, discover that the Bible is 1 big story. A story of many words pointing to the word.
19:29 The 1 who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because the word is alive and his name is Jesus. Find our bible reading plan and daily devotionals from Tony
19:41 Perkins at FRC dot org slash bible. Join us as we stand on the word.
19:51 At Family Research Council, we believe religious freedom is a fundamental human right that all governments must protect. For years, Islamist militants in Nigeria have targeted Christians
20:03 and other religious minority groups with brutal violence. Since 2009, 52000 Christians have been slaughtered. A staggering 89 percent of Christian martyrs in the world today are
20:15 from Nigeria. The first Trump administration declared Nigeria a country of particular concern, a designation reserved for countries whose governments engage in or tolerate religious freedom
20:27 violations. However, this designation of Nigeria was quickly reversed by the Biden administration. Following consistent calls from FRC president Tony Perkins and other religious leaders across the
20:39 US, president Donald Trump has responded.
20:43 Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern.
20:55 This is a huge step forward for the protection of Christians in Nigeria as well as religious freedom across the world. While this opens the door for the US government to pressure Nigerian leaders to protect vulnerable
21:06 Christians, it is only the beginning. We must continue to pray diligently, work strategically, and stand firm for the protection of religious liberty across the globe.
21:20 Looking for a trusted source of news that shares your Christian values? Turn to the Washington stand, your ultimate destination for informed faith centered reporting. Our dedicated team goes beyond the headlines,
21:32 delivering stories that matter most to believers. From breaking events to cultural insights, we provide clear, compassionate coverage through a biblical lens. Discover news you can trust at the Washington stand,
21:44 where faith and facts meet every day.
21:52 Welcome back to Washington Watts. Thanks so much for joining us. The website f r c dot o r g, or you go to tony perkins dot com. Earlier today, Minnesota governor Tim Walz
22:04 announced that he will abandon his bid for reelection amid the widening welfare fraud scandal in his state, the state of Minnesota, that has drawn national attention. Now later this week,
22:16 the house oversight and government reform committee will hold the first of 2 hearings on the scandal. Federal prosecutors estimate the fraud could top 9000000000 dollars in taxpayer
22:27 money. Now in the meantime, the Department of Health and Human Services has also taken action, freezing all federal funding to the state's child care providers. Joining me now to discuss this, assistant secretary for
22:39 family support, doctor Alex Adams, who leads the administration for children and families at the US Department of Health and Human Services. Assistant secretary
22:51 Adams, thanks so much for joining us today. Appreciate, you being with us.
22:55 Thanks for having me.
22:56 So we're we're coming back from the holidays. Some in our audience may not have been following closely the news during the holiday period or may just heard bits and pieces. So give us kind of the
23:08 overview. Start and share with us what we know so far about this scandal that seems to be very widespread.
23:15 Yeah. Well, it is as you said, fraud is rampant in Minnesota. Prosecutor has estimated that, the total fraud across multiple different programs is 9000000000 dollars. 1 of the
23:27 programs implicated is the child care development fund, which my agency, the administration for children and families, oversees. Around the holidays, video was posted on social media,
23:39 going to different day care facilities, finding that there were very few, if any, children there, alleging some to be false store frauds. Unfortunately, those allegations, align well with past
23:50 reports. Just this past May, HHS's inspector general had issued a report, questioning the attendance records practices in Minnesota suggesting that it was leaving leading to
24:02 overpayment. So the scale of fraud is eye popping, and, unfortunately, it does not just impact those in Minnesota. It impacts all American taxpayers because these are federal dollars that are given to
24:14 the state, a portion of which are then stolen by fraudsters.
24:18 You know, assistant secretary, I I when I look at this, there's a couple of questions come to mind. Number 1, it's so widespread. It can't be isolated. It it almost it has to be coordinated. It's almost as someone has to
24:30 be driving this. It doesn't just happen.
24:39 The largest welfare fraud scandals in American history, and I think it's appropriate that he's stepping away. That doesn't mean that we will let up on the gas. It doesn't mean we will stop our efforts to uncover the
24:51 scope and size and magnitude of this fraud, but I think it's a good first step. A couple of things that we did to to nip this in the bud, we took 3 quick actions last week. First, we put up
25:02 on our website childcare dot gov a tip line for anyone with allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse to report to us directly. To date, we've received about 280 tips
25:15 and from multiple different states. I mean, it does appear that this exists outside of that state as well. We did ask for an audit too of, Minnesota. He had some of the daycare facilities specifically
25:27 named. Spend system where states, prior to drawing down funds for childcare, have to substantiate their drawdown with evidence of legitimacy.
25:40 Now I wanna go back to something you
25:41 said a moment ago that the the inspector general report that there had or an audit. There had been an audit that had raised these questions regarding attendance records and the the billing. Did the
25:53 state did state officials take any action on that whatsoever?
25:57 I'm I'm not aware of any actions they've taken because certainly some of the social media reports are subsequent to the release of that. The other thing to know is this had been on the Trump administration radar for a
26:06 while. Earlier in December, well, in advance of those social media videos, we had sent letters, to governor Walz and his administration asking for more information on the childcare program,
26:18 some of their cash assistance programs, some of their block grants. And we had asked for very specific, specific information from them by December 26. Unfortunately, they did not, provide a substantive
26:30 response. They asked for a delay into, this month. So they've got about a week, to provide, answers, to us, but we're hoping to get to the bottom of that soon.
26:41 Now you mentioned, secretary Adams, that this is going to affect I mean, this affects not just the families and people in Minnesota, but this is this affects all Americans, all taxpayers.
26:52 Yeah, just as 1 example in this childcare program, American taxpayers send 185000000 dollars out each year to the state of Minnesota. And Minnesota is supposed to administer that with fidelity,
27:04 and they're supposed to, in the childcare program, get it to families in need. Families who are working, who would not be able to join the workforce but for having childcare support. Yet every
27:16 dollar stolen by 1 of these fraudsters is taken from the pocket of, children and families. Certainly, 1 of the things we've said is fraud does not occur in a vacuum. The policies from Washington
27:28 can either enable it or impede it. And, unfortunately, what we saw during the Biden Harris administration is a lot of the policies that were adopted in Washington made fraud easier. In the child care
27:40 program, for example, the Biden administration had adopted regulations that would have required states to pay child care providers in advance based on enrollment
27:52 rather than after the fact based on attendance records that are verifiable. That would have turbocharged fraud. So in addition to those actions that we took last week, the Trump administration today published a
28:04 proposed rule, to limit eliminate those Biden era provisions. And we're trying to to to get these programs back on the the right path, which is to help the children and families for whom congress
28:16 intended.
28:17 We just have about a minute and a half left. But when you look back during COVID where there was just this infusion of cash into the states and and now of course part of the fraud in in being uncovered here is connected
28:29 to the COVID era funding. But is it not also an issue of scale when the government is sending so much money creating so many social programs that it's just hard to keep
28:41 track of it?
28:42 Yeah. Well, Tony, I I think the best way I've heard it described is, the Biden administration with ARPA and some of their pandemic era funds essentially sent the brick struck full of cash out to the states and sent the
28:53 security home. So, you know, I I think, you know, as the president has said, we've only, seen the tip of the iceberg so far. But Americans can have confidence that we're going to uncover the size and
29:05 magnitude of us, and we're gonna do everything we can, to return those dollars back to hardworking Americans.
29:11 Well, we appreciate what the Trump administration is doing and appreciate you joining us today, to, give us the latest on what's happening as it pertains to families and children in Minnesota and elsewhere. Assistant
29:23 secretary Adams, thanks for for your time today.
29:26 Thanks for having me.
29:28 You know, I again, I think it's a a part of it is just the government has gotten so big providing so many programs. It just can't keep track of it. And and, of course, you get liberal governments like we see in
29:40 Minnesota, and it's just ripe for for fraud. We're gonna be watching this closely over the next several weeks to see what's uncovered. Alright. Don't go away. More straight ahead.Show more
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