Statement from Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
June 28, 2025
Fellow Minnesotans,
I stand before you today as a candidate for Governor and as a whistleblower who has dedicated years to exposing fraud and misuse of public funds in our state. The recent signing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R.1), which includes a 1% excise tax on certain remittance transfers, marks a significant step forward in our fight against financial exploitation and terrorism funding. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the legislators, policymakers, and advocates who worked tirelessly to include this provision in the law. Your courage and commitment to transparency and security are commendable, and I am grateful for your efforts to protect Minnesota and our nation.
However, it is deeply concerning that misinformation about this law is being spread, particularly through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). False claims, such as those in a recent video suggesting a ban on immigrants remitting money home, have been debunked by fact-checkers (e.g., NewsChecker.in, Facebook fact-checks). These lies are not only misleading but also dangerous, as they distort public understanding and undermine trust in our legislative process.
Let me be clear: the new law does not ban remittances. It imposes a 1% tax on non-commercial remittance transfers, a measure designed to increase transparency and discourage illicit activities, including fraud and terrorism financing. This is a far cry from the fabricated narrative of a ban, which serves only to confuse and alarm our communities.
As a whistleblower, I have firsthand experience with the consequences of such misinformation. My investigations into daycare fraud in Minnesota revealed how millions of dollars in federally-funded child care assistance were misappropriated and, in some cases, sent abroad to fund terrorist activities (KSTP.com, May 15, 2018). This exploitation of remittance laws was a direct threat to our security and economy, and it is precisely why measures like the 1% tax are crucial. The law’s reporting requirements and financial deterrents aim to close the loopholes that facilitated such abuses, aligning with broader anti-terrorism efforts under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
The spread of these lies is not accidental. Those disseminating false information may have connections to prior fraud cases or vested interests in maintaining the status quo of unchecked financial flows. It is no coincidence that the misinformation campaign coincides with efforts to obscure the truth about how public funds have been misused. As a candidate, I am committed to ensuring that Minnesotans hear the truth, not the distortions peddled by those with something to hide.
This new law is a tool to protect our state and our nation. It does not target legitimate remittances but rather those transfers that have been exploited for ill intent. The World Bank has cautioned about the risks of driving remittances underground (World Bank Blog, 2023), but the structured approach of this legislation, with its focus on reporting and liability, aims to mitigate those risks while enhancing security.
Minnesotans deserve transparency and honesty. We deserve leaders who will stand up against fraud and misinformation, just as I have done throughout my career. As Governor, I will continue to fight for accountability and ensure that our state’s resources are used to benefit our citizens, not to fund illicit activities or line the pockets of fraudsters.
Thank you to those who have supported this law. Together, we can build a Minnesota that is secure, transparent, and just. And to those spreading lies, know that the truth will prevail.
Sincerely,
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
LCDR, U.S. Navy, (Ret), counterterrorism and foreign policy expert.
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