Top Dem Under Fire for Blowing $430K in Taxpayer Cash

Republicans slam Minnesota’s Democrat governor for using state funds like his own piggy bank

Gov. Tim Walz is in political hot water after reportedly draining nearly half a million dollars from Minnesota taxpayers to prep for a congressional grilling—one that critics say was more about saving face than defending policy.

According to newly uncovered invoices, Walz’s administration shelled out a jaw-dropping $430,000 to elite D.C. law firm K&L Gates to help him get ready for a June 12 House Oversight hearing on “sanctuary state” policies. The hearing, led by Republicans under President Trump’s administration, put a spotlight on the open-border agendas of Democrat-run states like Minnesota.

“This is outrageous,” said Minnesota GOP Rep. Jim Nash. “Half a million dollars just to get coached for a hearing? Why not use state attorneys or his own PR team? This is about politics, not policy.”

The billing started in April, with over $230,000 spent in May alone—an average rate of more than $500 an hour. Sources say the total bill ran up over just two months.

And what did taxpayers get? A well-rehearsed Tim Walz testifying alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and New York’s Kathy Hochul—each defending policies that many say have turned their cities into magnets for illegal immigration and violent crime.

Rep. Harry Niska, also a Republican, didn’t mince words: “There’s no legitimate reason the state should spend that kind of money on glorified PR work. Walz is clearly using taxpayer funds to boost his national profile for a 2028 run. It’s a disgrace.”

Walz’s team, instead of taking responsibility, blamed Republicans for daring to ask questions.

“This was nothing more than a political stunt,” said Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann. “It was grandstanding by Republicans like Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber.”

But critics weren’t buying it.

“Walz spent 12 years in Congress. He knows the drill. He didn’t need a law firm—he needed a spine,” said one GOP strategist. “This is what happens when Democrats are held accountable: they panic and start spending your money.”

When pressed directly on the outrageous bill, Walz admitted, “It’s not where I wanted to spend money.” Yet, spend it he did—on elite lawyers, not Minnesota’s crumbling roads, overwhelmed schools, or overrun border checkpoints.

And Minnesota isn’t alone in the trend. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu recently blew $650,000 on legal help for a federal hearing, while Denver Mayor Mike Johnston spent $250,000.

But Republicans say the Walz case stands out. “This isn’t just wasteful,” said Rep. Nash. “It’s deceptive. It’s disloyal to the people who elected him.”

Minnesotans, meanwhile, are left footing the bill—again.