Nationwide — President Trump ended a Cabinet meeting by sharply criticizing Somali immigrants, calling them “garbage” and saying he doesn’t want them in the United States. His remarks also targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali American from Minnesota.
Trump warned the country was “at a tipping point” and suggested that continuing to accept Somali immigrants could steer the nation in the wrong direction, as reported by ABC News. He said, “We could go one way or the other, and we’re going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country.”
He repeated the same harsh language about Omar, who responded on social media, calling Trump’s “obsession” with her “creepy” and saying she hopes he gets help. Trump has repeatedly targeted Omar in the past, even telling her she should “go back” to Somalia.
The president’s remarks mark a sharp reversal from last year, when Trump sought support from Minnesota’s Somali community during his campaign. At the time, he framed his message around safety and security, and some community members, like Minnesota Somali American Salman Fiqy, saw his controversial statements as political tactics rather than personal attacks.
The controversy comes amid a clash with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over alleged welfare fraud involving Somali immigrants. A New York Times investigation detailed claims of fraud in the Somali community, prompting Trump to link Omar to the issue.
Walz called the president’s statements a “PR stunt” and said targeting immigrants is not a solution. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has launched an investigation and is seeking documents from Walz and the state attorney general.
Local leaders in Minnesota pushed back strongly. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey highlighted the city’s large Somali population, most of whom are U.S. citizens, warning that increased federal enforcement could harm innocent people. City Council Member Jamal Osman criticized the “othering” of Somali Americans and stressed that they deserve safety and fairness.
Trump’s comments follow broader anti-immigration rhetoric after a recent attack in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national. Federal officials signaled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minnesota will increase, though no timeline was provided.