Trump rejects Iran blame for Minnesota cyberattack, points finger at 'corrupt' political foe

By Fox News · Fox News

President Donald Trump dismissed speculation that Iran was behind a cyberattack targeting dozens of water systems in Minnesota , blaming instead the state’s "corrupt governor," Tim Walz, and the state he runs. "I just want to mention that we heard in Minnesota there was a cyberattack, and they blame it on Iran," he said at the start of a Cabinet meeting Friday at Camp David, Maryland. "I don't think so. I think I blame it on Minnesota because they're grossly incompetent," Trump said. "There was a cyberattack of 30 water plants, and I would blame it on Minnesota and the governor, the corrupt governor of Minnesota. They like to say, oh, is Iran? Iran should be so lucky. Iran's got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota." Trump’s dismissal puts him at odds with a preliminary assessment reportedly shared by U.S. and state officials and comes days after federal agencies warned that Iranian-affiliated hackers were targeting the same kinds of systems. Iranian involvement and poor cybersecurity are not mutually exclusive: previous Iranian-linked attacks on U.S. water facilities exploited internet-connected equipment protected by default or nonexistent passwords. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PROBES MINNESOTA OVER 'TRANSGENDER DOLLS' IN SCHOOLS, BUT STATE DISPUTES STORY Trump has repeatedly attacked 2024 vice presidential candidate Walz over widespread fraud in Minnesota’s state-administered social services programs. Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, abandoned his bid for a third term in January amid mounting scrutiny of his administration’s handling of the schemes. Walz has not been accused of participating in the fraud. Minnesota IT Services said the " coordinated cyberattack targeted operational technology at more than 30 Minnesota community water systems" Sunday and Monday, but the Minnesota Department of Health is "not aware of any active requests from Minnesota cities to have their residents modify their drinking water usage." U.S. and state officials…