Brian Mann

As this situation unfolded, Trump has again attacked Somali Americans in Minnesota, calling them, and I'm quoting here, Michelle, low-lifes.

Yeah, the day after Christmas, Nick Shirley, a 23-year-old MAGA-connected social media influencer, posted a video.

He claims it shows Somali-American-run daycare centers are cheating the federal government out of millions of tax dollars.

The video doesn't offer clear proof, and it appears these social media claims have not yet been independently investigated or verified.

But the video went viral.

A lot of conservative media outlets jumped on the story.

and so did Trump on his social media feed.

So now the Trump administration is halting funding for child care programs around the country.

Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill spoke in a video posted online.

He said child care funds will be released only when states prove they're being spent legitimately.

Now, this disruption is going to affect hundreds of thousands of children, especially in low-income families in all 50 states.

O'Neill says he took this action based on what he describes as intrepid journalists making shocking and credible allegations.

NPR asked the Department of Health and Human Services press office.

if they have concrete evidence of serious or widespread wrongdoing, but we've had no response.

You know, this is interesting.

Speaking at that press conference this week, Mary Solheim, a child care provider in Maplewood, Minnesota, said this funding freeze could be devastating for kids and their working parents around the country.

Child care is incredibly expensive, of course, and these subsidies are make or break for many families.

Solheim also voiced dismay that one social media influencer could disrupt the child care system so dramatically.

without feeling scared to come to work every single day.

Now, again, Michelle, NPR has asked federal officials for clarification about what evidence they have of any wrongdoing.