Minnesota Governor Tim Walz firmly responded to a controversial Thanksgiving message in which Donald Trump disparaged Somali refugees and used a derogatory slur against the state’s leadership. The president claimed Somali refugees were “completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota”. Meanwhile, Minnesota hosts approximately 80,000 Somali residents, representing the largest Somali population in the United States.
The inflammatory remarks follow Trump’s recent policy moves targeting the Somali community. Previously, he ordered the reexamination of green cards for Somalis and residents of 18 other countries. Furthermore, he announced plans to terminate temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota, baselessly claiming “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great state”. However, the timing of these statements coincides with federal investigations into fraud cases within parts of Minnesota’s Somali community, where prosecutors have convicted 59 individuals and allege more than $1 billion in taxpayer money has been stolen.
Trump Targets Somali Community in Thanksgiving Post
President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric against the Somali community in a late-night Thanksgiving post on Truth Social. In his message, he falsely claimed that “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota”. The post specifically targeted Minnesota’s Somali population—approximately 80,000 individuals according to census data.
The president’s message contained inflammatory language, asserting without evidence that “Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for ‘prey'”. He directed harsh personal attacks against Governor Tim Walz, using a derogatory slur for people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, Trump criticized Representative Ilhan Omar with religiously prejudiced language, falsely speculating that she entered the country illegally.
This Thanksgiving message followed Trump’s earlier announcement that he would “immediately” terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota. The president claimed the state had become “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity”. Moreover, Trump ordered a review of green cards issued to migrants from 19 “high-risk” countries, including Somalia.
The targeted attacks came days after Trump ordered federal immigration officials to reexamine green cards for individuals from these countries, despite there being only 705 Somali nationals nationwide with TPS status as of March.
Tim Walz Condemns Trump’s Remarks and Defends Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz swiftly responded to the president’s inflammatory Thanksgiving message, calling Trump’s comments “divisive” and “not what Minnesota stands for.” Walz, who became a more prominent national figure as former Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s running mate, emphasized that Minnesota’s Somali community has contributed significantly to the state’s economic and cultural landscape.
“The people of Minnesota reject this kind of rhetoric,” Walz stated in a press conference following Trump’s post. “Our Somali neighbors are business owners, healthcare workers, teachers, and valued members of our communities.”
Walz particularly objected to Trump’s use of a derogatory slur directed at him, noting that such language “has no place in political discourse.” The governor subsequently highlighted Minnesota’s reputation for having one of the country’s strongest economies and high standards of living, directly countering Trump’s characterization of the state.
In his defense of Minnesota, Walz pointed to statistics showing the state’s consistently low unemployment rates and strong education system. “These achievements reflect the contributions of all Minnesotans, including our immigrant communities,” he noted.
The governor also reached out directly to the Somali community, assuring them that the state government stands firmly against rhetoric that singles out specific ethnic groups. “Minnesota has always been a welcoming state,” Walz emphasized. “That tradition of openness remains one of our greatest strengths.”
Community and Political Leaders Push Back Against Rhetoric
Leaders across Minnesota rallied in defense of the state’s Somali community following Trump’s social media attacks. At the State Capitol, Representative Ilhan Omar declared that Trump lacks authority to revoke TPS status, telling concerned residents, “If you feel threatened, know that the law is on your side”.
Community organizer Khalid Omar pointed to serious consequences of such rhetoric, noting that “a year after Trump made negative comments before, a Bloomington mosque was bombed”. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota, urged vigilance, stating, “This is just the beginning; we are asking the community to brace themselves”.
“We do not blame the lawlessness of an individual on a whole community,” Omar stated firmly, referencing fraud cases that Trump cited in his attacks. State Senator Zaynab Mohamed characterized Trump’s move as “scapegoating a tiny piece of the population,” affecting only about 700 Somalis nationwide with TPS status.
Attorney General Keith Ellison announced legal preparations: “My office is looking at every option on the table to push back against this threat”. Imam Yusuf Abdulle emphasized community solidarity: “We as Minnesotans are greater than division, greater than being pitted against each other”.
Beyond political figures, everyday Minnesotans joined the defense. “We can’t be Minnesota without them. They are part of us,” said resident Cece McAlpin, while Ali Gaashaan added, “99.99% of the Somali community are hard-working, they’re good neighbors”.