YouTuber and Indie Journalist Nick Shirley Torches Minnesota Welfare ‘Fraudsters’ [WATCH]

Famed conservative journalist Nick Shirley took the stand Wednesday on The Hill and said the “red flags” in Minnesota’s welfare scandal weren’t hidden — they were everywhere.

Shirley, whose viral reporting on the state’s alleged fraud machine blew up nationally late last year, told lawmakers the warning signs were right there for anyone willing to look.

He also warned that the problem isn’t just in Minnesota, saying other states, like California, could be even worse.

“I’m here today to speak on behalf of all hardworking, law-abiding, taxpaying citizens here inside of the United States,” Shirley said during his opening remarks. “We the people have had enough of our hard-earned money going towards fraudsters, as if it’s no big deal.”

The 23-year-old YouTuber told lawmakers the scandal didn’t take a genius to spot. “You don’t even have to be smart to see these red flags,” he said, pointing to what he witnessed during his on-the-ground reporting.

The stakes, he suggested, are massive.

A former federal prosecutor estimated that as much as $9 billion could have been stolen from Minnesota taxpayers since 2018 — though Gov. Tim Walz (D) has disputed that figure.

Walz later announced he wouldn’t seek reelection as the scandal intensified.

Watch a clip of Shirley’s testimony below:

Could not be prouder of my dude @nickshirleyy! Stand strong today on the hill.

WE THE People 🫡 you
pic.twitter.com/hkbaIjiMZG

— 🇺🇸🎙Chad Caton🎙🇺🇸 (@ImFiredUp2) January 21, 2026