Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Senior Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday strongly criticized President Donald Trump for making harsh and offensive comments about Somali Americans, including immigrants and refugee families who have made new lives in the United States. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Booker, released a joint statement saying Trump’s remarks were “xenophobic and unacceptable.” They argued that his words unfairly targeted an entire community that has contributed greatly to the country.
The criticism came after Trump made several negative comments during a televised Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He claimed, without evidence, that Somali Americans in Minnesota had taken billions of dollars from the state and “contribute nothing.” He went on to describe Somalia in very insulting terms and suggested that the United States should not accept people from there. He also targeted Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali American member of Congress, saying she did not belong in the United States or in public office. These statements quickly drew widespread backlash, including from elected officials, civil rights groups, and community leaders.
Despite the criticism, Trump repeated his remarks the following day. He again described Somalia in degrading language and suggested that the country was chaotic and unsafe. He also continued to attack Somali American communities and repeated his earlier claims about Representative Omar. These comments intensified public outrage, with many Americans saying such language does not reflect the nation’s values of equality, diversity, and fairness.
In their joint statement, the Democratic lawmakers said Trump’s rhetoric not only harms Somali Americans but also damages the unity and safety of the country as a whole. They warned that hostile language aimed at immigrant communities can deepen divisions, fuel discrimination, and create fear. They added that such remarks can also have international consequences. According to the lawmakers, when the President of the United States insults another nation or its people, it can weaken U.S. foreign relationships, encourage anti-American sentiment abroad, and give extremist groups an opportunity to exploit anger for their own purposes.
They emphasized that immigrant communities, including Somali Americans, are part of the nation’s economic strength, cultural diversity, and national security. Many Somali immigrants work in essential industries, start businesses, and serve in public roles. The lawmakers urged Americans to support these communities rather than turn them into political targets. They stressed that the U.S. should reject any language that pits groups against each other or treats any community as lesser.
Trump has a long history of making negative remarks about immigrants from certain parts of the world. Since his first presidential campaign in 2016, he has repeatedly claimed that many immigrants come from what he describes as “dangerous” or “failed” countries, often suggesting they are criminals. These kinds of statements have brought him both political support and intense criticism. Many historians and community leaders note that this type of rhetoric is not new in American politics. Throughout U.S. history, new immigrant groups—including Chinese, Irish, Italian, and others—have faced discrimination, exclusion, and racist stereotypes. Over time, however, those groups became widely accepted and recognized as important parts of the American identity. Lawmakers say Somali Americans deserve the same fairness and respect.
The Democratic leaders ended their statement by calling on Americans to stand against language that divides the nation. They said the country is stronger when people work together, respect one another, and value the contributions of all communities, including immigrants who choose the United States as their home.