In recent years, reports of fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars have grabbed headlines, especially concerning the state of Minnesota. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been closely scrutinizing public housing funds, which, in Minnesota alone, amounts to a staggering $154 million worth of assistance spread across the state, with $108 million allocated to Minneapolis. Yet, despite all these figures coming to light, there seems to be more talk than action. Even with pleas of guilt from some accused individuals, effective measures seem to be bogged down in an investigative labyrinth, leaving the public scratching their heads, wondering why justice hasn’t had much success striking with its hammer yet.

Now, it’s a wonder why this situation continues virtually unchecked. The real crux of the issue is that taxpayer money—the hard-earned pay of diligent citizens—has been carelessly funneled into the hands of those committed to exploiting the system. There’s been enough media buzz attempting to cloud the real issues by grabbing hold of unrelated distractions. Some media voices have tried to paint this problem with a racial brush, misdirecting attention to the ethnic backgrounds of those supposedly involved, while the real concern, ironically, is hiding in plain sight: significant financial misconduct.

Now, one might ponder, what’s race got to do with fraud? However, some media outlets seem more focused on ethnic labels than on criminal accountability. Fraud, in all its forms, is inherently blind to ethnicity—it sees only opportunity. The emphasis on race in this instance amounts to a smoke screen, attempting to deflect from scrutinizing an apparent misuse of public funds. Unfortunately, this diversion dilutes the pursuit of justice, delivering republican spectators an exhausting marathon of unnecessary chatter.

In this battle against fraud, HUD, alongside its investigators, has vowed to uphold the law and ensure these fraudulent schemes come to light. Nevertheless, many Americans demand not just words but decisive actions. Some commentators have wryly noted the absurdity with the Democrats’ lack of public outrage regarding these fraudulent dealings. They argue this laxity stems from the Democratic Party’s perceived affinity for big government spending, regardless of whether a slice of that pie ends up right in the hands of fraudsters.

Under the current political climate, there is a palpable impatience for accountability. HUD has taken initiatives to crack down on financial misconduct, yet with a reported over $5 billion of payments in error, largely chalked up during the Biden administration, frustrations are bubbling over. With any administration, promises to be better stewards of taxpayer money are expected, but until tangible action is taken, the confidence of the American taxpayer remains on shaky ground. Here’s hoping that under new leadership, those guilty of exploiting the system will ultimately face the judgment they so rightly deserve.