Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota condemned recent remarks made by former President Donald Trump, who referred to the Somali community as "garbage" and suggested they should be sent back to Somalia. Omar, who is of Somali descent, stated that such dehumanizing language can incite harmful actions among those who listen to the president.

During an interview on CBS's Face the Nation, Omar highlighted that the individuals Trump disparaged are American citizens. She expressed concern that hateful rhetoric could lead to dangerous consequences. Omar's comments were in response to Trump's statements made during a cabinet meeting, where he criticized the Somali community and claimed they had taken significant financial resources from the United States.

The Trump administration had previously implemented restrictions on immigration cases for Somalis and others from 18 countries, leading to fears of increased immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, where many Somalis reside. In response, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an executive order to prevent the use of city-owned properties for immigration enforcement.

Omar also addressed the recent focus on fraud cases involving members of the Somali community, which have been highlighted by right-wing commentators. These cases include convictions related to fraudulent claims for meal reimbursements and other services, with investigations spanning several years. One notable case involved the organization Feeding Our Future, which was accused of submitting false documents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Omar stated that she was among the first to call for investigations into the fraud and condemned the actions as reprehensible. She refuted claims from the Trump administration that the fraud involved funding for terrorist organizations in Somalia, asserting that if such connections existed, it would indicate failures within the FBI and the judicial system. Additionally, she clarified that any campaign contributions from individuals involved in the fraud had been returned.

The ongoing investigations and the political discourse surrounding them have intensified scrutiny on the Somali community, raising concerns about the implications of such attention and the potential for further marginalization.