Trump: ‘Illinois is worse’ as HHS enforces verification for child care funding

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says states will not receive matching child-care funds until they verify that providers are legitimate, and President Donald Trump says Illinois is worse than Minnesota on the issue.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are probing fraud allegations involving tens of millions of federal taxpayer dollars sent to day care centers in Minnesota.

Trump discussed the issue at a New Year’s Eve party in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Can you imagine they stole $18 billion? That’s just what we’re learning about,” Trump said. “California is worse. Illinois is worse, and, sadly, New York is worse, a lot of other places. We’re going to get to the bottom of all of it. It’s a giant scam.”

Trump touted the money his administration is bringing in through tariffs and promised to recover the dollars lost to alleged fraud.

“I view that as a reason for a good year becaus...