US President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched a fierce attack on Somali immigrants, calling them unwelcome in the United States.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Trump condemned Somalia as a country “that stinks” and said its citizens “contribute nothing” to America.
His remarks followed a Minnesota scandal in which prosecutors allege over $1 billion was funneled to non-existent social services, largely involving Somali Americans.
Trump singled out Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, originally from Somalia, calling her and her associates “garbage” and urging them to “go back.”
The president has a long history of deriding minorities and promoting false narratives, including claims questioning former President Obama’s birthplace.
Trump warned the cabinet the US is “at a tipping point,” claiming the nation risks “going the wrong way” by accepting immigrants.
Last week, he ended protections against deportations of Somalis that had been in place since 1991, when Somalia descended into anarchy.
The Minnesota scandal also involves alleged theft of taxpayer funds under false claims of feeding children during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minnesota, a Democratic stronghold known for welcoming refugees, is home to one of the largest Somali American communities in the country.
The controversy gains political weight as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, oversees a state embroiled in scrutiny over the alleged fraud.
Separately, Trump halted all US visa issuance to Afghans following a deadly Washington shooting by a former Afghan US intelligence employee granted asylum.
The president’s statements signal a renewed, aggressive focus on immigration and refugee policies, targeting communities already vulnerable to political backlash.
