Somali American Republican Denounces Trump's Xenophobic Attack: ‘My Children Are Not Trash’

A Somali American from Minnesota, who supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, strongly criticized the presidents recent hostile statements toward his community. This comes as federal authorities prepare a focused immigration enforcement operation in the state.

I have been a Republican for more than 25 years, and I will continue to be one. Yet now, we are being labeled as garbage, said Mohamed Ahmed in an interview with CNNs Whitney Wild.

President Trump has recently intensified his rhetoric against immigrants, particularly targeting the Somali community. His comments came just days after his administration paused all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C.

Look at how chaotic their country is. Its not even a country; its people killing each other, Trump stated at a Wednesday press briefing in the Oval Office. Somalians have cost our country billions and have damaged Minnesota.

Although the shooting suspect was Afghan, Trumps statements broadly attacked Somali immigrants, claiming, They contribute nothing. I dont want them here.

Minnesota hosts the largest Somali American population in the U.S., with around 84,000 residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Abdikadir Bashir, executive director of the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization (CAIRO), noted that the federal enforcement plans have heightened anxiety in the community.

During a criticism of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a Somali refugee, Trump said, We can go one way or the other, and were going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country.

Ahmed, a Somali American Republican and Minnesota resident, responded firmly: I have five children. My children are not garbage. We campaigned for you. We have hope in you. Please distinguish between right, wrong, and evil.

Author: Harper Simmons