Donald Trump launched a shockingly racist attack on Somali immigrants, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, calling them 'garbage' and unfit for the U.S. This comes amid ICE crackdowns in Minnesota and a reorientation of refugee policy. The article suggests this renewed bigotry is a sign of Trump's political weakness and diminishing returns for his base.
Last week, amidst ICE operations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Donald Trump made a series of 'shockingly racist' comments targeting the Somali population, many of whom are refugees. He disparaged Somali immigrants as 'ungrateful' and 'unfit' for the U.S., stating, 'I don’t want ’em in our country. Their country’s no good for a reason.' These remarks echoed adviser Stephen Miller's views on 'the lie of mass migration' and the supposed inability of immigrants from 'broken homelands' to assimilate. Trump specifically attacked Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee, referring to her and others like her as 'garbage' and suggesting they 'do nothing but complain' and 'aren't people who work.' This behavior is consistent with his past racist statements, including his 'shithole countries' comment and his administration's shift in refugee policy to favor white Afrikaners over those from places like Somalia. The article highlights the devastating impact of ICE crackdowns on the Somali American community in Minnesota. However, the author posits that Trump's return to such rhetoric might signal political weakness, as he faces economic challenges, new information about Jeffrey Epstein, and internal coalition fractures. While racism has been a successful strategy for him, its effectiveness may be waning, with even targets like Omar appearing unimpressed. The article concludes that Trump's reliance on bigotry, while causing suffering, suggests his 'deep well of white, working-class, popular anger' might be 'running dry.'
