On Friday, July 31st, 2026, President Trump blamed Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for a coordinated cyberattack that targeted operational technology at more than 30 community water systems in Minnesota over the preceding Sunday and Monday. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump criticized the state's handling of the incident, stating, "I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent. 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, it was Iran.’ Iran should be so lucky."

Minnesota officials confirmed the cyberattack affected multiple water systems and described it as coordinated. Governor Walz, a frequent critic of Trump, responded via social media, asserting the president "knows exactly who is responsible for this attack and knows that other states were hit too." Walz also criticized the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), stating, "DOGE took an axe to [the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] and left the U.S. exposed to cyber attacks."

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Fusion Center is collaborating with local municipalities and federal partners to address the situation, according to CBS News.

CISA acting Director Nick Anderson noted the agency is "currently observing a significant increase in cyber threat actors targeting programmable logic controllers at water utilities," highlighting a broader cybersecurity concern.

While federal authorities are reportedly investigating Iran's possible role in the attacks, the attribution remains uncertain.

Sources