Trump Attacks Somali Immigrants and Rep. Ilhan Omar in Controversial Cabinet Meeting Remarks

President Trump expressed strong opposition to Somali immigrants during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, claiming they rely too heavily on US social safety nets and should not be welcomed.

During his remarks, Trump characterized Somalia as a place where people "run around killing each other" and declared, "Their country stinks, and we don't want them in our country."

His comments coincide with an ongoing scandal in Minnesota where prosecutors allege more than $1 billion was diverted to non-existent social services, primarily through fraudulent billing by Somali Americans.

Trump has historically made disparaging remarks about minority groups and gained political prominence by promoting false conspiracy theories about former President Obama's birthplace. Critics note that Trump often appeals to fears among the white majority about losing cultural and political influence.

"We're at a tipping point," Trump stated during the meeting. "We could go one way or the other, and we're going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country."

The former president specifically targeted Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, who was born in Somalia, calling her and her associates "garbage" and suggesting they should "go back to where they came from and fix it."

Last week, Trump terminated protections against deportations for Somalis that had been in place since 1991, when Somalia descended into political chaos.

Minnesota authorities are investigating several schemes to misappropriate taxpayer funds, including groups falsely claiming to provide meals for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state has historically welcomed refugees and houses a significant Somali American community.

The situation carries added political significance as Minnesota's governor is Tim Walz, a Democrat who was his party's vice-presidential candidate in the recent election.

In a separate action last week, Trump also ordered a suspension of visa issuance to Afghans following a shooting in Washington by an Afghan individual who had worked for US intelligence and received asylum after the Taliban regained power.