Former state trooper John Nagel has criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and the Democratic Party for not doing enough to prevent gang-related violence among Somali-Americans in the Twin Cities. This comes in light of recent incidents that have left residents of Eden Prairie and nearby suburbs feeling unsafe, including the shooting of two teenagers at a high school football game and the discovery of over 100 shell casings in a Bloomington neighborhood.
“Where is Ilhan Omar in all of this?” Nagel asked during an interview. “You’d think as a representative for this area, she’d be actively involved, at meetings, or at least making statements like, ‘How can we help this? How can we stop this?’ But I just don’t see that happening.”
Nagel also pointed fingers at other Minnesota Democrats, including Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, suggesting they are ignoring the issue and, as he put it, have their “heads in the sand.” He believes such politicians are hindering law enforcement’s ability to tackle the escalating violence. “They’re trying non-police solutions to problems that require police involvement, and it’s not working,” he stated.
According to Nagel, many Democrats seem to be against strict law enforcement. “The people are fed up; they want action,” he emphasized. He argued that leniency on crime from Democrats has emboldened gang members to act without fear of serious repercussions.
“Over the years, the way Democrats have governed Minnesota has created an environment where crooks feel empowered,” he added.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher has echoed this sentiment, noting in a press conference that failing to hold gang members accountable is a significant part of the issue. He remarked that his office needs to more aggressively prosecute juvenile offenders.
In response, Moriarty’s office indicated that while no cases related to the Bloomington incident have been submitted for consideration yet, they would be thoroughly reviewed if they come in. Recently, an 18-year-old named Adam Abdihakeem Adam was charged in connection with the Eden Prairie football shooting.
Moriarty declared, “Mr. Adam will be held accountable. Violence in our communities is completely unacceptable and requires a coordinated response.” Additionally, Fletcher expressed concern over using “East African” to label gang members, clarifying that the majority are Somali and that it’s essential to address the issue directly.
Nagel further noted that calling out the Somali connection shouldn’t be seen as prejudicial. “We have gangs of all kinds. This isn’t about race; it’s about the facts,” he argued, asserting it’s vital to identify the specifics behind the problem. He proposed the creation of a gang task force as part of the solution, insisting that existing laws should simply be enforced.
With gang violence making its way into various communities across Minnesota, Nagel warned that continuing down the current path is unsustainable. “We need more enforcement, arrests, and incarceration,” he insisted, otherwise, the situation will just keep getting worse.
Nagel is set to run against Omar and Independent candidate DeVelle Jackson in the upcoming midterm elections for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
Fox News Digital reached out to Omar, Walz, and Ellison’s offices for comments.
