Trump says 'hundreds of thousands of Somalians are ripping off our country' in DC shooting address

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: The recent Washington, DC, shooting has shocked the nation. The suspect was identified as an Afghan national, and this renewed debate over Afghan refugees’ stay in the United States during Joe Biden’s presidency.

After describing the Wednesday, November 26, shooting as evidence of “the single greatest national security threat” facing the country, President Donald Trump directed his criticism toward Somali immigrants. He specifically targeted Minnesota, claiming that “hundreds of thousands of Somali immigrants are exploiting our nation” and asserting that they are eroding the state’s formerly strong foundations.

Trump goes after Somali immigrants in speech after DC shooting

Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump noted the suspect’s Afghan roots, calling Afghanistan a "hellhole," and then directed his criticism toward Somali immigrants in the US.

"An example is Minnesota, where hundreds of thousands of Somalians are ripping off our country and ripping apart that once great state," Trump said.

He continued, "Billions of dollars are lost, and gangs of Somalians come from a country that doesn’t even have a government. No laws, no water, no military, no nothing, as their representatives in our country preach to us about our Constitution and how our country is no good."

"We’re not going to put up with these kind of assaults on law and order by people who shouldn’t even be in our country," Trump asserted.  

It seems Trump’s reference to Somali "representatives in our country" was aimed at Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia and has frequently criticized him and Republican policies.

Trump calls for strict oversight and review of Afghan resettlement in the US

During the speech, Donald Trump also took aim at former President Joe Biden over Afghan refugee admissions, saying, "(Lakanwal) was flown in by the Biden administration in September 2021 on those infamous flights that everybody was talking about."

He continued, "Nobody knew who was coming in. Nobody knew anything about it. His status was extended under legislation signed by President Biden, a disastrous president, the worst in the history of our country."

Trump emphasized that every refugee admitted from Afghanistan under Biden should be carefully reviewed. "And we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here, or add benefit to our country. If they can’t love our country, we don’t want ’em," he stressed.