Democrats and the corporate media rushed to defend Somalis throughout the end of 2025 as reports emerged that they committed widespread fraud in Minnesota.
Federal prosecutors charged dozens of Somalis with stealing over $9 billion of taxpayer money intended for social services, including the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. As more details have emerged about their fraudulent actions, Democrats accused President Donald Trump and conservatives of using Somalis as scapegoats and expressed their support for the population.
Tim Walz Pivots To Attacking White Peoples’ Crimes
In response to a question about whether Somalis should be held accountable, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who has faced scrutiny for his handling of the fraud, immediately pivoted to saying that white men have committed several crimes.
“Look, it’s not law-abiding citizens. If that were the case, there’s a lot of white men should be holding a lot of white men accountable for the crimes that they have committed,” Walz said during a Dec. 12 press conference. “I think for the community to maybe educate their population, because I think what you’re seeing here is there’s secondary victims in this, that there’s providers inside the community that are then victimizing the community themselves by signing them up, because when we’re going to some of these people, they’re like, I had no idea I was in this program. So I think it’s asking us then, you know, for every crime, which of course the majority being committed by white men, asking us to do more about that. I think it’s crime in general.”
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Walz faced scrutiny from state officials who accused him of “willfully” disregarding “rules and laws to keep fraud reports quiet.” The governor accused President Donald Trump of engaging in a “PR stunt” and of “indiscriminately targeting immigrants” as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramped up operations in Minnesota to detain Somali nationals.
Minnesota State Senators Tear Up As They Expresses Support For Somalis
Democratic state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart tearfully apologized to Somalis and extended her support for them during an event at a Somali mosque on Dec. 12.
“We are heartbroken by the horrible actions of our government, and we want you to know that at the state level, we will do all that we can to support you. Whether you live in our district or not, we are here,” Stewart said through tears. “We are 100% committed to helping you. You are welcome here, you belong here and we are here for you. I apologize, I have to leave for another commitment.”
Democratic state Sen. Steve Cwodzinski then praised diversity and stated that America is a nation of immigrants.
“That’s what America is all about. We’re not a nation of ‘we’re all the same.’ We’re a nation of immigrants. We’re a nation of diversity. That’s our strength, not our weakness,” Cwodzinski said. “I really don’t know what to say.”
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Their statements came after Trump referred to Somalia as a “garbage” country during a Dec. 8 Cabinet meeting. He also said that many Somalis, such as Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, had no appreciation for the U.S. despite giving them everything.
In response to the fraud, the administration has also cracked down on detaining and deporting Somalis in the U.S. illegally. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Trump supports denaturalizing any Somali convicted of the crimes.
Ilhan Omar Claims Trump Is Only Angry About Somali Fraud Because He’s Racist
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said Trump does not want Somalis in the U.S. because he is “bigoted” and “Islamophobic.”
“The president has always had very bigoted, xenophobic, Islamophobic comments when it comes to, you know, people who are of Muslim faith or people who are black. We’ve seen him call African nations as ‘shitholes.’ So it’s not really surprising,” Omar said. “But what is weird to me is just how creepy he’s been obsessed with me and the Somali community.”
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar condemned President Trump’s recent comments about Somalis and said his focus on her is “creepy.” pic.twitter.com/mXLC0N1hve
— New York Post (@nypost) December 4, 2025
Omar, a Somali immigrant, has defended Somalis by saying they think of themselves as Americans and pay taxes. She has urged people not to blame the Somali community for the actions of a few.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alleged on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that individuals charged with stealing from Minnesota’s “Feeding Our Future” donated to Omar’s campaign. Omar denied any wrongdoing.
Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Says Somalis Are ‘Welcome’ In His Community
After Trump condemned the fraud and cracked down on Somalis, Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey affirmed his support for Somalis, saying they are part of the city’s “family.”
“Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the country. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family — and they are welcome in our city. Nothing Donald Trump does will ever change that,” Frey said.
Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the country. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family — and they are welcome in our city. Nothing Donald Trump does will ever change that. pic.twitter.com/3DmvQ4jRov
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) December 2, 2025
Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Wears Hijab On Television
Minnesota Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan appeared on the TV station, Somali TV of Minnesota, on Dec. 26 wearing a hijab, stating that Somalis are “part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.”
“My name is Peggy Flanagan. I’m the lieutenant governor of Minnesota and I’m really honored and humbled to be here with you all today. I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,” Flanagan said.
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Boston’s Mayor Claims Somalis Are Responsible For City’s ‘Every Achievement’
Democratic Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stated that “hate has no place in our society” without expressing any criticism for the crimes committed by the Somali population.
“You cannot talk about any achievement that the city of Boston has had in safety, jobs, and economic development, in education, without talking about the Somali community that has lifted our city up. We are proud and we are grateful for our Somali community and for our Somali American neighbors. Boston and the country are clear that hate has no place in our society,” Wu said.
“We will use every attack to actually strengthen and expand the services available, to empower and work alongside our community members who are already doing so much good in the world and setting the example for the rest of the country,” she continued.
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MS NOW Analyst Laments How Somalis Are Allegedly Being ‘Scapegoated’
MS Now political analyst Mara Gay said on “Morning Joe” that Somalis were victims of the so-called far-right’s anti-immigrant narrative. She also downplayed the significance of the fraud by saying that these types of actions are “not unique to politics.”
“Let’s recall too that there’s also other scandals in other states,” Gay said. “For example, the Mississippi welfare scandal. This is not unique to politics. Americans know that. But of course, the other factor here is that because it looks like the Somali population in Minnesota, the Somali immigrant population may have been involved in some way, those people are being scapegoated.”
“And that community is being scapegoated in a way that certainly serves the far right. And so, that’s also something to keep an eye on. And that’s inappropriate, absolutely,” Gay added.
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More reports of fraudulent crimes committed by Somalis have continued to emerge. While a majority of those stealing from social programs are Somali, YouTube Nick Shirley released a documentary on Dec. 26 which indicated that Somali daycare centers that receive taxpayer money are not actually providing any services.
CNN’s Abby Phillip Claims Somalis Are ‘Under Attack’
CNN anchor Abby Phillip criticized Shirley for exposing the daycare centers for their alleged fraud, saying that the population is “under attack” and receiving threats.
“But, you know, honestly, you knock on the door of a daycare center, and you’re like, let me in, let me in. What do you expect people to do? You know, in some of those cases, there were children in there. What do you want people to do in that situation? Open the door and say, come on in. When they know that the Somali community is under attack, is being threatened every single day, what is going on here?”
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Politico Reporter Makes Thinly Veiled Threat To Nick Shirley
Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein claimed in a Monday X post that citizen journalists like Shirley could be shot under “stand your ground” laws.
“At some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws,” Gerstein said.
At some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) December 30, 2025
Minnesota is not a “stand your ground” state, but instead imposed a “duty to retreat” before using force, according to the United States Concealed Carry Association.
CNN Publishes Article About Somali Community’s ‘Anxiety’
CNN published an article on Dec. 4 titled, “Anxiety grips Somali community in Minneapolis as ICE agents zero in on the Twin Cities,” which claimed that Somalis in Minnesota were living in fear because of Trump’s crackdown.
“A young man working at a bakery at the Karmel Mall south of downtown Minneapolis said the shopping center on Tuesday night was dead compared to usual. The man, who only gave his first name, Fawzi, said he is nervous even though he was born in Minneapolis, CNN wrote.
The article detailed how Somali shops in the area were deserted and how many were carrying IDs and papers in case they were confronted by immigration officials. It also quoted local Somalis condemning Trump’s statement about them.
The outlet wrote a separate piece on Dec. 7, which said that Somalis were embraced by Minnesota after being “scorned” by Trump.
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