‘Fight back Minnesota’: Trump targets Somali community, calls on state to seek federal help

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 8, urged Minnesotans to “fight back” against the state’s Somali community ahead of the November midterm elections, escalating his longstanding attacks on Somali immigrants and Democratic leaders in Minnesota.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the state was being “taken over” by Somali immigrants, accused its government of failing residents and offered federal assistance. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison responded to the president's remarks, defending Somali Minnesotans and warning against another federal intervention.

Trump accuses Minnesota leaders of failing to address violence

Trump alleged that violence, murder and disorder had spread across the “once Great State of Minnesota.” He urged residents to oppose the Somali community and accused Democratic Governor Tim Walz of being an “incompetent thief.”

“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!” Trump wrote.

In his post, Trump also offered federal intervention and called on Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to request assistance from his administration.

“If you need, the Federal Government will come to your rescue,” Trump wrote, adding that Walz and Frey “must immediately ask for Federal help — and leave the rest to us!”

Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States. Trump has repeatedly targeted the community while criticizing Democratic leadership in the state, frequently referring to a major fraud case involving a federally funded child nutrition program.

Beginning in 2020, dozens of people were accused of misappropriating millions of dollars through the program. Many of those charged were Americans of Somali descent. In May, Aimee Bock, who is not a Somali immigrant and led the nonprofit organization implicated in the scandal, was sentenced to 41 years in prison after being convicted of leading a fraud scheme.

Since then, Trump has referred to Somalis as “crooks” and called Somalia “filthy, dirty, disgusting, dirty.” The case has featured in his broader calls for tougher immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Federal authorities earlier this year increased arrests and deportations and took steps to restrict access to some social programs in the state, including Medicare and childcare services.

Keith Ellison responds to Trump's remarks about Somali Minnesotans

Ellison rejected the hostility directed at Somali Minnesotans, emphasizing their place in the state's communities.

“Somali Minnesotans are our neighbors. They are part of Minnesota. The Minnesota I know and love is so much better than this intolerance,” Ellison said in response to Trump's post.

In a separate response, Ellison also criticized the prospect of further federal intervention, referring to the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti earlier this year.

“We've seen what Trump's government coming to the "rescue" looks like. It ended with two Minnesotans shot dead by federal agents, racial profiling, assaults, and the violation of our rights. Never again. If Trump tries, I'll drag him back to court. Somali Minnesotans are our neighbors. They are part of Minnesota. And the Minnesota I know and love is so much better than this bigotry,” Ellison wrote. 

Ellison added that he would challenge the administration in court if Trump attempted another intervention.

Trump's attacks on immigrants and religious minorities have drawn repeated criticism from civil rights advocates and community organizations. He has also repeatedly criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar over her Somali heritage.