On December 31, 2025, President Donald Trump publicly criticized Somali immigrants in Minnesota, referring to them as "scammers" and calling for their deportation back to Somalia. His comments were made amid a federal investigation into alleged fraud within social services programs in Minnesota, which has involved some members of the Somali community. However, the Justice Department has clarified that the investigation primarily targets individuals not of Somali descent, including Aimee Bock, a white individual indicted in connection with a $250 million scheme to defraud a child nutrition program.

Trump's remarks also included derogatory comments about Representative Ilhan Omar, a prominent Somali American and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, whom he described as an "ungrateful loser" and a "scammer," despite the absence of evidence supporting any wrongdoing on her part. He claimed that a significant portion of the fraud in Minnesota was perpetrated by individuals who entered the U.S. illegally from Somalia, a statement that lacks substantiation.

The controversy surrounding these allegations has gained traction in conservative media, particularly following claims made by right-wing influencer Nick Shirley regarding fraud in Minnesota child care centers. In response, the FBI has increased its resources in Minnesota to assist with the investigation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services subsequently announced a freeze on federal child care payments to the state due to these allegations, amounting to $185 million for 2025.

Trump has a history of targeting immigrant communities, and his recent focus on Somali Americans has drawn widespread condemnation from lawmakers and community organizations, who have labeled his comments as racist. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Omar have defended the Somali community, asserting that the issue of fraud is being politicized to undermine social programs that benefit residents. Walz emphasized the state's commitment to addressing fraud while rejecting the framing of the issue as a broader indictment of the Somali community.

In conjunction with his rhetoric, the Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota, conducting audits of Somali immigrants and prioritizing investigations into fraud claims. This follows allegations of significant financial misconduct involving social assistance and COVID-19 relief funds, with the Justice Department charging 98 individuals in connection with these investigations, a majority of whom are of Somali descent. The scrutiny of Somali-run daycare centers has been fueled by a viral video from conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, which has been cited by administration officials despite questions regarding its accuracy. A CBS News investigation found that most of the daycares mentioned in the video were licensed and had been recently inspected, with no evidence of fraud recorded.

Overall, the situation reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration, social services, and the political discourse surrounding these issues in the United States.