US President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Somali immigrants, claiming they have “destroyed Minnesota” and “destroyed our country,” drawing widespread criticism over his inflammatory remarks toward migrant communities.
Speaking to reporters, Trump described Minnesota as “a hellhole right now,” asserting that Somali residents “should be out of here” and that “all they do is complain.” His comments come amid recent fraud cases involving individuals of Somali descent accused of exploiting COVID relief programs that reportedly netted over $1 billion. Minnesota is home to roughly 80,000 Somali Americans.
The president’s statements coincide with a new immigration enforcement initiative in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. A senior law enforcement official noted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not specifically targeting Somali residents, though some may face arrest if found in violation of immigration laws.
Trump also renewed his long-standing attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali American elected to Congress. “She shouldn’t be allowed to be a congresswoman,” he said, adding that she should be “thrown out of our country.” Omar fled Somalia during its civil war, later lived in a Kenyan refugee camp, and arrived in the US at age 12.
Omar responded on social media, rejecting the president’s rhetoric: “Your message of bigotry won’t work. Somali Americans are here to stay.”
Other Minnesota officials condemned Trump’s remarks. Senator Tina Smith called them “what bigotry looks like,” while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the city’s Somali community — prompting Trump to call him “a fool.”
“Then he’s a fool. I wouldn’t be proud,” Trump said. “Look at their nation. Look how bad their nation — it’s not even a nation. It’s just people walking around killing each other,” he added. He later stated, “Somalia is considered by many to be the worst country on Earth… what the Somalian people have done to Minnesota is not even believable. They have destroyed Minnesota.”
Trump has a documented history of making derogatory remarks about African and immigrant communities. Omar noted in a televised interview that he has targeted her and other women of color for years, referencing past statements telling members of “The Squad” to “go back” to their countries — despite the fact that all but Omar were born in the United States.