Trump Official Clarifies Number of Somalis Considered Waste

The Trump administration is intensifying scrutiny on Minnesotas Somali American community, highlighted by President Trumps Tuesday remarks labeling Representative Ilhan Omar and her community as garbage. Omar, a Somali American, became the target of this inflammatory statement, sparking widespread outrage.

Following the presidents comments, officials have attempted to defend the administration. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin was questioned by CNNs John Berman on Wednesday about whether the Somali American population in Minnesotaestimated at 40,000 individuals born in Somaliacould be broadly classified as garbage.

McLaughlins response focused on immigration fraud and criminality rather than directly addressing the presidents statement. John, were reviewing data and analyses, particularly from Minneapolis and other regions with Somali populations. We are seeing instances of immigration fraud, including marriage fraud, and we are examining related criminal activity, she said.

Berman pressed for clarity: Are you saying all 40,000 Somali-born residents in Minnesota are considered garbage, as the president suggested?

McLaughlin avoided a direct answer, framing the discussion around public safety and recent events. She cited last weeks shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan national, and emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of American citizens. She also criticized what she described as shortcomings in the Biden administrations vetting process.

Despite these statements, Minnesotas Somali community, especially in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, had no connection to the shooting. McLaughlins comments appear to align with the administrations stance rather than provide an independent assessment, using security concerns to justify tighter immigration measures targeting Somali residents. Census data shows that 58 percent of Somalis in Minnesota were U.S.-born, and 87 percent of foreign-born individuals are naturalized citizens.

Analysts note that these measures reflect the presidents own rhetoric, influenced by reports from right-wing media, rather than evidence-based assessments of the community.

Author: Maya Henderson