ST. PAUL, Minn, (PulseWire) — Democratic Governor Tim Walz denounced President Donald Trump on Thursday for labeling Minnesota’s Somali community as 'garbage' and dismissing the state as a 'hellhole.'
Walz criticized Trump for slandering the residents of Minnesota, stating that the president’s comments were an insult to all Minnesotans. He stressed that children in the state deserve better than to be called garbage by their president.
While Republican legislative leaders refrained from fully endorsing Walz’s condemnation, they suggested that the discourse might not have arisen if the governor had acted more decisively to combat alleged fraud in social service programs.
Trump's comments came on the heels of claims made by a conservative news outlet which suggested that taxpayer money is funneled to the Somali militant group al-Shabab, leading to his portrayal of Minnesota as a hub for fraudulent activities.
On Thanksgiving, he also announced intentions to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota, a program providing deportation safeguards. Trump escalated his rhetoric at a cabinet meeting, insisting that America must stop accepting 'garbage' immigrants from Somalia.
Local community leaders and Walz called for increased accountability, differentiating between fraudsters and the broader community that contributes positively to Minnesota.
In a national context, elected officials beyond Minnesota, including lawmakers from Ohio with significant Somali populations, voiced their discontent with Trump's remarks, emphasizing the contributions of Somali immigrants and the need to oppose xenophobic comments.
The heated exchange reflects ongoing tensions around immigration and community identity, with Walz stressing the importance of solidarity and support among diverse populations in Minnesota.
