CNN’s Dana Bash clashes with Tom Homan over Trump calling Somali immigrants 'garbage'

WASHINGTON, DC: The debate over President Donald Trump’s comments on Somali immigrants intensified Sunday, December 7, when CNN’s Dana Bash challenged "border czar" Tom Homan.

Earlier in the week, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump criticized Somali immigrants, saying, “I don’t want them in our country."

The 79-year-old went further, saying that the country is “no good for a reason” and even calling it “stinky.” He also targeted Representative Ilhan Omar, a US citizen of Somali descent, calling her “garbage.”

Tom Homan insists Trump is doing the right thing

Bash went full throttle on Homan, questioning Trump’s recent remarks aimed at Somali immigrants. “The president said very clearly this week that he doesn’t want Somali immigrants in America. He called them garbage! Is that the real reason this operation is happening in the Somali community?” Bash asked.

“Well, I think President Trump’s referring to public safety threats as national security threats from Somalia and every other country,” Homan replied, trying to defend the president’s actions. “Well, he didn’t say that,” Bash countered. “He talked about the whole community.”

“Look…I’m not aware what the president was thinking when he said that, but I agree with President Trump,” Homan responded. “From Day One, he has said we are concentrating on public safety threats and national security threats. He was put in the Oval Office to run the biggest deportation operation in this country has ever seen. That’s exactly what we’re doing. That’s what American people voted for."

Homan went on, “President Trump’s doing the right thing: Make sure everybody that came here illegally came in through proper vetting, especially from countries that are related to te**orism or are somehow related to high numbers of overstays or high number of criminal aliens in this country. That’s what he’s doing. He’s protecting America. And I agree 100% what he’s doing.”

Trump criticizes Somali immigrants amid federal actions in Minneapolis

During a press meeting, Trump made strong comments about Somali immigrants. He said, “I’ll be honest with you. Their country’s no good for a reason. Their country stinks.”

He went on to criticize specific individuals, adding, “We could go one way or the other, and we’re going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. She’s garbage. Her friends, garbage. These aren’t people who work. These aren’t people who say ‘let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great."

These remarks came as federal immigration authorities launched “enhanced operations” targeting Somali immigrants in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, which is home to roughly 80,000 Somali residents.