Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is pushing back forcefully after President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Somali Americans this week, dismissing them in a televised meeting as “garbage” and suggesting they contribute “nothing” to the United States. In a sharply worded personal essay published in The New York Times, Omar — who was born in Somalia and represents Minnesota’s 5th District — accused Trump of lashing out at her community out of political desperation.

“The president knows he is failing, and so he is reverting to what he knows best: trying to divert attention by stoking bigotry,” Omar wrote.

Her comments come as the Trump administration prepares to deploy federal immigration agents to Minneapolis and other parts of Minnesota as part of an enforcement surge targeting Somali immigrants with deportation orders. The move has intensified fear within the state’s large Somali diaspora — the largest in the country — and has drawn criticism from local officials, civil-rights groups, and faith leaders.

“We Will Not Let Him Silence Us”

In her essay, Omar framed the president’s language as part of a long-running pattern in which Trump weaponizes racial resentment and anti-immigrant sentiment for political gain.

“Mr. Trump denigrates not only Somalis but so many other immigrants, too, particularly those who are Black and Muslim,” Omar wrote. “While he has consistently tried to vilify newcomers, we will not let him silence us. He fails to realize how deeply Somali Americans love this country.”

She noted that the overwhelming majority of Somali Minnesotans are U.S. citizens — either born in the United States or naturalized — and have built businesses, staffed hospitals, driven public transit, taught in schools, worn police uniforms, and served in elected office at every level of government.

Escalating Political Tensions

Trump’s comments came just days after he ordered a review of immigration cases involving Somali nationals and moved to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 700 Somali immigrants in the United States. He claimed Somali refugees were “taking over” Minnesota and alleged widespread social-services fraud — despite state officials emphasizing that wrongdoing by individuals should not lead to blanket demonization of an entire community.

The rhetoric has drawn parallels to Trump’s 2019 attacks on Omar and other members of “The Squad,” when he told them to “go back” to the countries they came from — even though all but one were U.S.-born citizens.

Minnesota Leaders Respond

Gov. Tim Walz condemned Trump’s language as “dangerous and dehumanizing,” noting that such remarks can embolden harassment and threats. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter issued similar statements, urging residents to stay calm and reminding them that city governments do not assist federal immigration raids.

Local organizers report an uptick in fear-driven behavior — families avoiding schools, skipping medical appointments, or canceling work shifts — mirroring similar patterns seen during immigration crackdowns in 2018 and 2020.

Omar’s Message: “We’re Not Going Anywhere”

Despite the threats and political pressure, Omar concluded her essay on a defiant note, framing Somali Americans as resilient contributors to the nation rather than interlopers.

“We will not let Mr. Trump intimidate or debilitate us,” she wrote. “We are not afraid.”

Her message resonates with a community that has endured civil war, displacement, and early years of suspicion in the U.S. — and now faces another cycle of political targeting.