At a Glance
- President Donald Trump accuses Minnesota Somali immigrants of fraud and calls for their removal.
- Federal agencies investigate child-care fraud allegations linked to the Somali community.
- Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar defend Somali TPS holders and challenge Trump’s claims.
- Why it matters: The accusations could influence immigration policy and state funding for child-care services.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to launch a new attack on Somali immigrants in Minnesota, calling them scammers and demanding they be sent back to Somalia. The post came amid federal investigations into alleged fraud in state child-care centers and a broader push to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somali residents. Minnesota officials and Rep. Ilhan Omar have publicly rebutted the claims.
Trump’s Social Media Attack
Trump’s post labeled Somali immigrants “scammers” and “lowlifes” and accused Rep. Omar of being a scammer. He cited up to 90 % of Minnesota fraud as caused by illegal Somali arrivals. He also announced a plan to terminate TPS for Somalis in Minnesota, though the president cannot unilaterally do so.
President Trump stated:
> “Much of the Minnesota Fraud, up to 90%, is caused by people that came into our Country, illegally, from Somalia. ‘Congresswoman’ Omar, an ungrateful loser who only complains and never contributes, is one of the many scammers. Lowlifes like this can only be a liability to our Country’s greatness. Send them back from where they came, Somalia, perhaps the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth.”
November Truth Social post read:
> “I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!”
Investigations and Federal Response
The Justice Department, led by Aimee Bock, investigated fraud in Minnesota social-services programs. In 2022, the DOJ indicted individuals in a $250 million scheme to defraud a child nutrition program. Recent allegations by influencer Nick Shirley prompted FBI Director Kash Patel to increase resources in Minnesota, and the Health and Human Services Department froze all federal child-care payments to the state.
- FBI increased resources to support investigations in Minnesota.
- HHS halted federal child-care payments to the state.
- DOJ investigations focus on alleged fraud in child-nutrition and child-care programs.
Political Reactions
Gov. Tim Walz wrote on X that the move was part of Trump’s long game and politicized the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said cracking down on fraud is a top priority and that denaturalization could be pursued. Rep. Ilhan Omar defended Somali TPS holders and called the administration’s threats legally dubious and dangerous.
Gov. Walz posted:
> “This is Trump’s long game. We’ve spent years cracking down on fraudsters. It’s a serious issue – but this has been his plan all along. He’s politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans.”
Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News:
> “Cracking down on fraud is a top priority for the Trump administration. We’re also not afraid to use denaturalization. That’s a tool at the president and the secretary of state’s disposal, and it’s one this administration has previously used before.”
Rep. Omar wrote on X:
> “Somali TPS holders are our neighbors, coworkers, and small business owners. They’ve built their lives here. I led members of Congress in demanding answers on the administration’s legally dubious and dangerous threats.”
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s accusations target Somali immigrants and Rep. Omar, citing alleged fraud in Minnesota.
- Federal agencies have stepped up investigations and halted child-care payments.
- Minnesota officials and Rep. Omar defend Somali residents and challenge the president’s claims.
The controversy highlights the intersection of immigration policy, federal oversight, and state politics in Minnesota.
