Trump comments on Somalis in Minnesota condemned by local leaders
Faith leaders condemn Trump comments, stand with Somali community
Faith leaders gathered in St. Paul to show their support for the Somali community and to speak out against inflammatory comments posted by President Donald Trump.
(FOX 9) - President Donald Trump posted remarks on social media disparaging Somalis in Minnesota, prompting local leaders to condemn the comments as "blatant racism" that invite hatred and potential violence.
Minnesota faith leaders spoke out against the president's comments and showed support for the Somali community at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in St. Paul. That news conference can be viewed above.
President Trump's Truth Social post
What they're saying:
President Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday afternoon that Minnesota is "being taken over by Somali immigrants," and called for the people of Minnesota to "fight back."
The full post reads:
The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants. There is Violence, Murder, and Mayhem all over the State. The people of Minnesota must fight back. You have been robbed, and abandoned by your State Government. Your Governor is an incompetent thief who doesn't want to get involved. He just wants to get out of town with as much as he can steal, and then, lead a quiet life. The Somalians should not be allowed to get away with what they are doing. They view you as weak and stupid people. Fight back Minnesota, fight back! If you need, the Federal Government will come to your rescue.
Governor Tim Walz, and Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, must immediately ask for Federal help — and leave the rest to us! President DONALD J. TRUMP.
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, who represents Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, echoed Trump's remarks in a post on X, writing, "Tim Walz, Peggy Flanagan, and Keith Ellison have put our people in danger, driven business and families out of state, allowed $9 billion in fraud to be stolen by Somali fraudsters, and have given our state one of the worst reputations in the entire country."
Local perspective:
The remarks come as local law enforcement leaders discuss efforts to address Somali gang violence following several recent shootings in the west metro.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher recently threw his support behind a regional task force to tackle the violence, while blaming weak prosecution of crime for letting the issue fester.
Minnesota leaders respond to Trump
Trump remarks on Somalis condemned by local leaders
President Trump's inflammatory claims about Minnesota's Somali community are being condemned by community leaders, with the Council of American Islamic Relations saying he "is placing a target on the backs of Somali Americans."
The other side:
Several Minnesota leaders and politicians condemned Trump's latest remarks against the Somali community.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in a statement, "The President’s deranged social media posts can’t distract from the fact that he’s losing a war and driving up costs. He’s lashing out at blue states because he can’t land a punch on America’s actual enemies."
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty also released a statement Friday morning:
"The disgusting, racist rants from President Trump have no place in our society and reinforce what we already know: he prefers violence over public safety and he will try to incite it.
"Our law enforcement partners worked hard to make an arrest related to a recent shooting and are developing further investigations. When cases are submitted to us, they will be thoroughly reviewed and charged appropriately."
Executive Director of the Council on America-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Jaylani Hussein, shared the following statement:
"President Trump is placing a target on the backs of Somali Americans. His words are not simply political rhetoric. They are a dangerous invitation to hatred and potentially violence."
CAIR is also calling on lawmakers from both parties to denounce the remarks.
A look at Minnesota's Somali population
By the numbers:
It's difficult to get a hard count for the number of Somalis in Minnesota because it depends on how you count – and how people identify themselves.
If you go by country of birth, there are nearly 100,000 people in the U.S. who were born in Somalia, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In Minnesota, there are more than 41,000 people living here who were born in Somalia. Of the foreign-born Somalis, the vast majority (about 87%) are naturalized citizens.
If you go by ancestry, the Census Bureau's American Community Survey estimates there are more than 107,000 people of Somali descent living in Minnesota, with more than 83,000 of them living in the Twin Cities metro.
READ MORE: Trump targeting Somali community: How many Somalis live in Minneapolis?
The Source: This story uses details gathered from posts from local and national leaders and information by FOX 9 reporter Bill Keller.