ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Sunday that President Donald Trump is “demonizing” Somali migrants in the state after the president claimed on social media that Somali residents were “taking over” Minnesota. Walz addressed the comments during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” saying the remarks unfairly target a community that contributes significantly to Minnesota’s economy and culture.
Walz said Trump’s messaging portrays an entire population as criminals despite many Somali Minnesotans working as educators, doctors, artists, lawyers, and entrepreneurs. He urged Trump to focus on border security and crime reduction “with dignity and respect,” rather than broad characterizations that inflame tensions.
Trump’s Thanksgiving post also included derogatory language toward Walz and accused Somali “gangs” of threatening public safety. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the country, with an estimated 107,000 residents as of 2024.
The criticism comes one day after the Trump administration ended certain legal protections for Somali residents “effective immediately,” prompting renewed debate about immigration enforcement in the state.
Walz acknowledged that federal prosecutors have charged individuals, including some Somali migrants, with defrauding a COVID-era child nutrition program, but emphasized that criminal activity is not limited to any single group. Minnesota’s extensive social support system, he said, attracts bad actors from across the country, not just immigrants.
He argued that the president’s rhetoric ignores the broader contributions of Somali Minnesotans, describing the community as a vital part of the state’s identity.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sources:
• The Hill – MBFC Rating
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
