Trump’s Comments on Minnesota’s Somali Community
President Donald Trump has referred to the Somali immigrant population in Minnesota as “trash,” criticizing them for allegedly relying heavily on U.S. welfare. This statement comes amid reports that ICE is planning to enhance its immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.
During a Cabinet meeting recently, Trump suggested that Somalis are having a negative impact on the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, where Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, represents their interests politically. He said something along the lines of: The New York Times has reported that ICE is gearing up for a significant immigration operation aimed at the Twin Cities. While the article suggests that the operation would target Somalis specifically, a senior official from the DHS indicated that enforcement actions are not based on race or solely on immigration status.
Recently, false rumors about an ICE raid sparked protests in Minneapolis, which local police attributed to “irresponsible” information from public officials.
At the White House, Trump criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz regarding ongoing allegations of fraud within the Somali community in St. Paul. The Times reported on what it described as “multiple fraud schemes” allegedly involving individuals who formed a company to defraud the state of millions.
Trump remarked, “Mr. Walz is a totally incompetent guy. There’s something wrong with him,” in reference to the governor, who is also Kamala Harris’ running mate for the 2024 election.
In response to scrutiny over the program, Walz defended it to the New York Times, stating it was created to provide financial support to individuals. “Programs are set up to improve people’s lives and often criminals find loopholes,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Trump dismissed Somalia as “barely a country” and labeled Ilhan Omar and her associates as “trash.” He stated, “When they come from hell and complain and do nothing but stupid things, we don’t want them in this country. Let’s bring them back and let them solve their problems.”
Trump even suggested that Omar may have “married her brother” to gain U.S. citizenship, referencing past allegations. Omar has publicly stated that she is married to Ahmed Hirsi and has three children, although she is separated from another man who lives in the UK. Allegations circulated in 2016 that she was still married to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, purportedly her brother, which she labeled as “ridiculous and offensive.”
After those speculations, she married political consultant Tim Mynett in 2020, expressing her happiness via social media.
As for claims that ICE is specifically targeting the Somali community in the Twin Cities, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “ICE enforces the nation’s laws in every corner of the country every day. ICE targets someone not because of their race or ethnicity, but because they are in the country illegally.” She also mentioned the agency does not discuss future operations.
Omar responded to Trump’s remarks about her, stating that his “obsession with me is creepy,” and hoped he would seek the help he needs.
