On Monday, the Winooski School District in Vermont raised the Somali flag on school grounds as a gesture recognizing Somali students and families in the community. The district, located just outside Burlington, reports that approximately 9 percent of its student population is Somali.
In a public statement, the district said, “We are raising the Somali flag this week in honor of our Somali youth and families in Winooski and Vermont.” Officials added that the flag-raising coincides with a gathering focused on community celebration and learning more about civil rights.
Vermont school district raises the Somalian Flag
You can contact them here (802) 655-0485 pic.twitter.com/KDr6BmWCJy
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 8, 2025
Following criticism of the decision, the district emphasized that the move complies with federal flag guidelines. “The United States flag remains in its proper place at the highest point, in full compliance with the U.S. Flag Code,” the district said. Winooski schools have three flagpoles: the U.S. flag flies on the top mast, the Vermont state flag on the second, and the Somali flag is being displayed on the third for one week.
District leaders described the display as a temporary show of support. “The Somali flag is being flown for one week as a gesture of support for Somali students and families,” the statement said. “Winooski is a proudly diverse community, and we are committed to recognizing and uplifting the cultures and identities represented in our schools.”
The flag-raising comes amid renewed attention on a major fraud investigation in Minnesota involving individuals and organizations linked to the Somali community. According to reporting by The Gateway Pundit, whistleblowers and ongoing federal investigations suggest the scope of the alleged fraud may be far larger than previously disclosed.
What initially surfaced as the $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scandal was later revised by authorities to at least $1 billion. New claims now allege the total amount involved could exceed $8 billion, though investigations are ongoing.
Numerous individuals and nonprofits indicted in the $1 billion Minnesota COVID fraud scandal, including Feeding Our Future, received SBA PPP loans in addition to other state and federal funding. Today, I have ordered an investigation into the network of Somali organizations and… https://t.co/J4FLoH1S0s
— Kelly Loeffler (@SBA_Kelly) December 2, 2025
In a recent statement posted on X, U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler said individuals and nonprofits charged in the Minnesota COVID-relief case also received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and other federal funds. “Numerous individuals and nonprofits indicted in the $1 billion Minnesota COVID fraud scandal, including Feeding Our Future, received SBA PPP loans in addition to other state and federal funding,” Loeffler wrote.
She added that she has ordered an investigation into what she described as a network of Somali organizations and executives allegedly involved. “Despite Governor Walz’s best efforts to obstruct, SBA continues to work to expose abuse and hold perpetrators accountable, full stop,” Loeffler said.