Nicolai Haugsted
Trump calls for Americans to fight back against Somali immigrants without explaining exactly what kind of action he expects.
President Donald Trump has made immigration a defining issue of his political career, frequently promising tougher enforcement and accusing previous administrations of failing to protect American communities.
His criticism has often extended beyond immigration policy itself, with particular groups and communities becoming targets of his public statements.
Minnesota’s Somali population has repeatedly attracted the president’s attention, especially following investigations into major fraud schemes in the state.
Now, Trump has escalated his rhetoric once again, issuing a direct appeal to Minnesota residents that raises questions about precisely what he wants them to do.
Trump calls on Minnesota residents to take action
The president used his Truth Social platform on Thursday to deliver a forceful message about Somali immigrants living in Minnesota.
Rather than focusing on specific immigration proposals or individual criminal cases, Trump directed his criticism at the community more broadly.
“The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants,” he wrote.
“The people of Minnesota must fight back.”
Trump then expanded on his message, suggesting that Somali immigrants were exploiting the state’s residents.
“The Somalians should not be allowed to get away with what they are doing. They view you as weak and stupid people. Fight back Minnesota, fight back! If you need, the Federal Government will come to your rescue.”
The statement offered no specific explanation of what actions the president wanted residents to take.
NBC News contacted the White House seeking clarification about the meaning of his repeated calls to “fight back.”
The administration did not immediately respond.
Without further clarification, it remains unclear whether Trump was calling for political action, increased cooperation with immigration authorities or something else.
America’s largest Somali community comes under fire
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States.
The community has established a significant presence in the state over several decades, particularly in the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
Many residents are American citizens, while others have different immigration statuses.
Trump’s statement, however, did not distinguish between Somali immigrants, Somali Americans or individuals accused of criminal wrongdoing.
Instead, his criticism addressed Somali immigrants collectively, portraying them as a threat to the state.
The president has made similar remarks on several previous occasions, repeatedly questioning the Somali community’s place in Minnesota.
His latest message continues that pattern while adding a direct appeal for other residents to respond.
Fraud investigations have fueled Trump’s criticism
The president’s attacks have intensified following reports of large-scale fraud cases involving individuals of Somali descent.
Investigations reported last year documented convictions connected to schemes that defrauded public programs in Minnesota.
Dozens of people of Somali heritage were among those convicted.
The cases attracted considerable political attention, with critics questioning how the fraud had been allowed to occur and whether oversight systems had failed.
Trump subsequently began using the scandals to make broader statements about Somali immigrants.
He has previously referred to Somalis as “crooks” and described Somalia as “filthy, dirty, disgusting, dirty.”
Those comments extended his criticism beyond the people convicted of fraud to an entire national community.
Although the fraud convictions are documented, they do not establish wrongdoing by Somali immigrants or Somali Americans as a group.
Trump’s Thursday statement did not identify specific individuals or provide evidence supporting his claim that Somali immigrants were taking over Minnesota.
Ilhan Omar has repeatedly faced Trump’s criticism
The president’s relationship with Minnesota’s Somali community has also been shaped by his longstanding political confrontation with Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Omar was born in Somalia and later became one of the most prominent Somali-born politicians in the United States.
She has frequently criticized Trump’s immigration policies and public statements about minority communities.
Trump, in turn, has repeatedly singled her out during speeches and online attacks.
Their political disagreements have become closely associated with the wider debate over immigration, national identity and the treatment of Somali Americans.
The president’s latest remarks did not name Omar directly, but they continued his established pattern of targeting the community from which she comes.
