Trump Unleashes Wave of Anti-Somali and Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

In a wave of anti-Somali and anti-Muslim rhetoric, US President Donald Trump described Thursday that Americans of Somali descent pose a threat to the state of Minnesota, hours after labeling Muslim Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as a radical extremist.

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: "The once-great state of Minnesota is now under the control of Somali immigrants. There is violence, murder, and chaos throughout the state. Minnesotans must fight back."

Trump urged authorities in Minnesota to request federal intervention.

Civil rights advocates criticize the Republican president's rhetoric towards minorities and immigrants, including his past description of Somalis as "garbage."

Trump had repeatedly referenced a scandal in Minnesota dating back to 2020, in which dozens were accused of embezzling millions of dollars from a federally funded child nutrition program. Several defendants in that case were Somali Americans.

In May, Amy Bock, who is not a Somali immigrant and led the non-profit organization involved in the scandal, was sentenced to 41 years in prison after being convicted last year as the mastermind behind the scheme.

The president exploited this fraud case as part of his justification for targeting the Democratic-led state, launching an intensive campaign earlier this year to arrest and deport immigrants, and taking measures aimed at restricting social service programs in the state.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison responded to Trump's post by saying: "Somalis in Minnesota are our neighbors. They are part of Minnesota. And the Minnesota I know and love is much bigger than this bigotry."

In another post late Wednesday, Trump described Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim and Democratic Party candidate for the US Senate from Michigan, as a "radical extremist" and "terrorist sympathizer," while expressing support for Republican candidate Mike Rogers.

Democrats said Trump's rhetoric aims to distract voters from the repercussions of his policies as the November midterm elections approach.

El-Sayed, who has faced anti-Muslim attacks from other Republicans, commented yesterday, Thursday, saying he believes Trump can exploit his name and religion to distract us from the suffering caused by his policies at gas stations, grocery stores, and doctor's offices.

The Michigan Democratic Party and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described Trump's rhetoric as desperate and racist.

Trump has previously targeted minorities in his speeches, spreading false claims that Haitian immigrants in an Ohio town eat pets, and using the word "Palestinian" as an insult.