Trump attacks Somali immigrants ahead of expected Minnesota immigration enforcement

Summary

Podcast Summary: Consider This from NPR

Episode: Trump attacks Somali immigrants ahead of expected Minnesota immigration enforcement
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Ailsa Chang
Guests: Matt Sepik (Minnesota Public Radio)

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Episode Overview

This episode investigates former President Trump’s recent inflammatory rhetoric aimed at Somali immigrants, particularly in Minnesota, and the Trump administration’s heightened immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The episode explores the political, social, and legal implications of these actions and provides responses from local mayors and members of the Somali American community.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Rhetoric Against Somali Immigrants

• Escalating Attacks:
  President Trump, during a Cabinet meeting, referred to Somali immigrants as "garbage" and implied they do not contribute positively to American society, explicitly targeting Somali-American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. ([01:05]–[01:12], [04:41])
• Historical Context:
  Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has a precedent, including describing migrant caravans as an "invasion" and making previously unjustified claims about other immigrant groups (e.g., Haitian immigrants). ([01:42]–[02:20])

2. Immigration Enforcement Crackdown

• Policy Actions:
  The Department of Homeland Security announced intensified immigration enforcement in New Orleans and, notably, an increase in ICE operations in Minneapolis-St. Paul. ([02:20])
• Community Impact:
  The episode highlights that most of Minnesota’s Somali population are American citizens, with many being born in the U.S., complicating the narrative being pushed by the Trump administration. ([04:21], [06:30])

3. Political Backdrop & Justification

• Recent Events:
  Trump's comments were made in response to a question about fraud in Minnesota's social service programs (notably the Feeding Our Future scandal involving some Somali Americans). Neither Minnesota Governor Tim Walz nor Congresswoman Ilhan Omar are implicated in the case. ([05:13]–[06:19])
• Trump’s Framing:
  He frames the entire Somali American community through the lens of this scandal, rather than focusing on the individuals charged.

4. Local Leaders Push Back

• Mayoral Support:
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: Defended the Somali community, emphasizing their American identity and warning immigration enforcement risks violating constitutional rights.
    • Quote: “When people are arrested by federal immigration agents… they are taking away the rights of American citizens.” ([06:30])
  • St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter:
    • Quote: “Who he attacked isn't just Somalis. Who he attacked is Somali Americans. Who he attacked is Americans.” ([07:10])
• Community Leaders:
  • Jailani Hussain (CAIR-Minnesota):
    • Reported increased ICE activity and cases of citizens being questioned about citizenship.
    • Quote: “This is not immigration policy. This is racism being directed from the President's office.” ([07:28])

5. Law Enforcement Stance

• Minneapolis Police:
  Police Chief Brian O’Hara emphasized local law enforcement does not enforce federal immigration policies but will respond to any unrest or violence resulting from enhanced immigration actions. ([08:13])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump (on Somali immigrants):
  • “These aren't people that work. These aren't people that say, let's go… These are people that do nothing but complain.” ([01:05])
  • “I don’t want them in our country. … Their country stinks.” ([04:41])
• Mayor Jacob Frey:
  “They're going to screw it up so badly that they're not just violating habeas corpus, but they are taking away the rights of American citizens.” ([06:30])
• Mayor Melvin Carter:
  “Who he attacked is Somali Americans. Who he attacked is Americans.” ([07:10])
• Jailani Hussain (CAIR-MN):
  “This is not immigration policy. This is racism being directed from the President's office.” ([07:54])
• Congresswoman Ilhan Omar:
  “His obsession with me is creepy.” ([06:10])

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Episode Timeline & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Trump’s direct remarks about Somali immigrants | | 01:42 | Recap of Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric history | | 02:20 | DHS and ICE enforcement announcement | | 04:21 | Demographics and contributions of Minnesota’s Somali community | | 05:13 | Fraud scandal context; Trump’s escalation & political background | | 06:19 | Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul respond to enforcement plans | | 07:28 | CAIR-MN’s response and reports of ICE actions in the community | | 08:13 | Local law enforcement’s approach to potential unrest |

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Tone & Delivery

The episode is measured but assertive, with the host and guests emphasizing fact-based analysis, the humanity and citizenship of Somali Minnesotans, and the concerning potential consequences of stoking xenophobic sentiment from the highest levels of government.

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Summary

This episode illuminates the intersection of presidential rhetoric, policy action, and community impact in Minnesota, providing historical context and first-hand responses while underscoring the broader dangers of stereotyping and the real-world risks of federal enforcement overreach. The discussion is clear, urgent, and rooted in local voices who urge protection of constitutional rights and recognition of American diversity.

Transcript

[Ailsa Chang]

Hey there, it's Ailsa Chang. Before we start the show today, our team here wanted to remind everyone that yesterday was Giving Tuesday and it's not too late to support. Consider this. And everything you love from npr. We're also thanking, Consider this listeners who have already stepped up to donate. People like Andrew in Massachusetts who says, I listen to NPR every day. Love the deep dives on Consider this. Public radio is so important for an informed citizen. It also plays a vital role in more rural areas with less news coverage and access to reporting. I agree. Thank you so much, Andrew. And thank you, listener. If you've already made your gift or if you're an NPR supporter. If not, sign up today. Support public media and get perks to NPR's podcasts. Join us at plus.npr.org all right, now to today's episode.

President Trump has stepped up his attacks on immigrants from Somalia.

[Donald Trump]

These aren't people that work. These aren't people that say, let's go, come on, let's make this place great. These are people that do nothing but complain.

[Ailsa Chang]

At the end of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump also referred to Somali immigrants as, quote, garbage, singling out Somali American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota. And we will come back to Minnesota in a bit. But first, let's note it's far from the first time that Trump has made inflammatory remarks about immigrant groups, especially those fleeing violence or poverty in their home countries.

[Donald Trump]

Some people call it an invasion. It's like an invasion.

[Ailsa Chang]

In his first term, that's how President Trump described a caravan of migrants heading to the southern U. S. Mexico border. And as he sought a second term in 2023, he campaigned on the idea that immigrants are, quote, poisoning the blood of our country.

[Donald Trump]

They poison mental institutions and prisons all over the world, not just in South America, not just the or four countries that we think about, but all over the world. They're coming into our country from Africa, from Asia, all over the world.

[Ailsa Chang]

And a year later, Trump made unjustified claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.

[Donald Trump]

They're eating the dogs.

[Ailsa Chang]

In his second term, President Trump has paired that sort of rhetoric with an aggressive campaign to deport undocumented immigrants. The latest developments this week saw the Department of Homeland Security formally announce an immigration enforcement crackdown in New Orleans. And border czar Tom Homan told Fox News that Immigration and Customs Enforcement will increase operations in Minneapolis St. Paul. Consider this. President Trump regularly describes immigrants as less than human. We will hear the response from Minnesota, home to about 80,000 people of the Somali diaspora.

From NPR, I'm Ailsa Chang.

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[Ailsa Chang]

It's Consider this from NPR a few facts about the roughly 80,000 people of Somali descent who are now living in Minnesota. Almost all of them are American citizens. A majority were born in the U.S. but this week President Trump attacked Somali immigrants in racist and xenophobic terms.

[Donald Trump]

I don't want them in our country. I'll be honest with you, okay? Somebody would say, oh, that's not politically correct. I don't care. I don't want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks.

[Ailsa Chang]

The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul spoke up to defend their Somali community. They also responded to reports that the Trump administration is targeting that community with extra immigration enforcement. For more on the latest, we reached Matt Sepik of Minnesota public radio in St. Paul. So what seems to have prompted Trump's statements there?

[Matt Sepik]

Well, let me say first that Trump and Minnesota's Governor Tim Walls have been at odds since last year when the governor was former Vice President Kamala Harris, running mate, Democratic presidential ticket. At a Cabinet meeting yesterday, the president attacked the Somali American community here in response to a question about widespread fraud in Minnesota social service programs during the Walls administration. And here is some context. Since late 2022, federal prosecutors here have charged 78 people connected to a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future with stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayer funded Child nutrition programs. The convicted ringleader, Amy Bach. Majority of the defendants in this case are of Somali descent and most are naturalized US Citizens. Trump went on to call Somali Americans, quote, garbage, including one of his fiercest critics, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The Minneapolis Democrat responded saying, quote, his obsession with me is creepy. And to be clear, neither Walz nor Omar have been implicated in the fraud investigation.

[Ailsa Chang]

Well, Matt, as we mentioned, there have been several reports that the Trump administration is going to target undocumented Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis St. Paul area. So what have city leaders said about that?

[Matt Sepik]

They were quick to respond. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry denounced the President's comments and said that Somali immigrants have been a key part of the community's fabric for decades. Many are not immigrants. They're second generation Americans who were born here. Fry said that immigration officials are at major risk of violating the community's constitutional rights. When people are arrested by federal immigration agents, they're going to get the wrong people. They're going to screw it up so badly that they're not just violating habeas corpus, but they are taking away the rights of American citizens. Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul was with Frye yesterday at a news conference and echoed those comments. Who just attacked isn't just Somalis. Who he attacked is Somali Americans. Who he attacked is Americans.

[Ailsa Chang]

And what about leaders in the Somali community? Like, what kind of responses are you hearing from them to all of this?

[Matt Sepik]

Jailani Hussain, who leads the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and was born in Somalia, came here as a child, said today that the community has reported already seeing an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in the Twin Cities. He also said he's received reports of American citizens being asked about their citizenship. Hussein says this is blatantly discriminatory, weaponizing ICE to target black Somali immigrants. This is not immigration policy. This is racism being directed from the President's office. Hmm.

[Ailsa Chang]

Well, when it comes to local law enforcement, Matt, did police say how they will respond if there is an uptick in immigration enforcement there?

[Matt Sepik]

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian o' Hara says his department does not enforce federal immigration law. But he did say if there are demonstration that become violent, police are required to respond to protect public safety.

[Ailsa Chang]

That is Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepik. Thank you so much, Matt.

[Matt Sepik]

You're welcome.

[Ailsa Chang]

This episode was produced by Vincent Ekovino and Karen Zamora with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Patrick Jaron Watananan and Courtney Dorney. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun.

It's consider this from npr. I'm Ilsa Chang.

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