Trump calls on Minnesotans to resist Somali immigrants
President Trump on Thursday urged Minnesotans to resist Somali immigrants, claiming the state was overrun and criticizing Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. He said the federal government would step in if state and local officials requested help. The comments came after the administration ended temporary protected status for Somali holders and amid scrutiny of a large pandemic-era fraud scheme in a federally funded nutrition program.
The president’s remarks came after his administration ended temporary protected status for Somali holders in January. Kristi Noem, a former Homeland Security secretary, said continuing those protections went against national interests. Minnesota’s Somali community has also faced scrutiny over pandemic-era fraud in a federal nutrition program, with reported losses in the hundreds of millions and up to $1 billion in related plots.
Minnesota has the nation’s largest Somali population, about 1.07 percent of residents, mostly around Minneapolis–St. Paul. Many arrived as refugees after Somalia’s 1990s civil war. Trump had previously insulted Rep. Ilhan Omar and Somalia in 2025, while Gov. Tim Walz accused him of demonizing Somali migrants.
The president’s comments may deepen fear and polarization among Somali Minnesotans and other immigrant communities, potentially affecting civic trust and local cohesion. They could also intensify pressure on state and city officials over federal assistance and immigration enforcement. Broader debates about fraud, refugee resettlement, and public safety may become more heated, with consequences for how residents view one another and for Minnesota’s political climate.