Trump Draws Bipartisan Condemnation After Alleged Xenophobic Remarks About Somali Immigrants
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump reportedly referred to Somali immigrants as “garbage” and said they “stink” during a White House cabinet meeting, according to sources familiar with the discussion. The president also suggested that Somalis should “go back” to fix their home country rather than “complain.”
The alleged remarks, which have not been publicly denied by the White House, came amid widespread reports of a planned large-scale immigration enforcement operation targeting the Somali community in Minnesota. The state is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, centered in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, one of the biggest Somali diasporas in the world.
State officials from both parties have raised serious concerns about the reported enforcement plan. Minnesota’s Democratic Attorney General, Keith Ellison—himself the first African American elected to the U.S. House from Minnesota—has warned that such sweeps risk improperly targeting U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents based on racial profiling.
“The comments attributed to the president are abhorrent and dangerous,” said a statement from the office of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. “They demean our neighbors and threaten the fabric of our communities. We are seeking immediate clarification from federal authorities about any planned operations and assurances that constitutional rights will be protected.”
The reported verbal attack aligns with a longstanding pattern of criticism from the president toward Somalia and its diaspora. It has sparked swift condemnation from civil rights groups, faith leaders, and lawmakers.
“To refer to any human beings in such dehumanizing terms is beneath the office of the Presidency,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in a tweet. “Our Somali community contributes immensely to Minnesota. They are doctors, business owners, teachers, and soldiers.”
The White House press secretary has not directly addressed the specifics of the leaked comments but stated the administration is “committed to enforcing all immigration laws to protect American communities.”
Community leaders in Minnesota express fear that the rhetoric from the highest level of government will embolden discrimination and complicate local law enforcement’s efforts to maintain trust. “We are Americans. This is our home,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “This kind of language isn’t just an insult; it puts a target on the backs of hardworking families and threatens their safety.”
The controversy emerges as the administration continues to press for stricter immigration controls and the expansion of enforcement actions nationwide.
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