Yesterday, Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) introduced a bill to award citizen journalist Nick Shirley the Congressional Gold Medal. The legislation follows Shirley’s reporting on alleged waste, fraud, and abuse in Minnesota.
On December 26, Nick Shirley released a video documenting what he described as mass fraud within the Minnesota Somali population, claiming losses to U.S. taxpayers of over $110 million. According to the announcement, after Shirley’s report was published, the Trump administration halted federal funding to businesses accused of involvement in the fraud. Additionally, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) ended his reelection campaign.
Rep. Crane cited Shirley’s investigative work and commitment to constitutional principles as reasons for national recognition. “I’m proud to introduce this bill to award Nick Shirley the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his exemplary work. His efforts to shed light on this historic scandal have resulted in seismic shifts to our political landscape virtually overnight,” said Rep. Crane. “Nick Shirley is a fearless citizen journalist who stood up to a corrupt system and exposed waste, fraud, and abuse being perpetrated against the American people. It is a testament to the power of the average American over the legacy media, and a vindication of the mission that DOGE has sought to implement.”
Eli Crane has represented Arizona’s 2nd congressional district since 2023 after succeeding Tom O’Halleran. He was born in Tucson in 1980 and currently resides in Oro Valley.
