Trump’s attacks on Minnesota’s Somali community cast a spotlight on fraud cases

President Trump Targets Minnesota’s Somali Community Amid Fraud Investigations

President Donald Trump has intensified scrutiny on Minnesota’s Somali community, linking his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts to a series of major fraud cases involving government programs. During recent remarks, Trump referred to Minnesota Somalis as “garbage” and expressed that he didn’t want them in the United States.

The controversy has become politically charged as Republicans increase their criticism of Governor Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, for allegedly failing to prevent widespread fraud. The issue is already shaping up as a central point of contention for the 2026 gubernatorial race, where Walz is expected to seek a third term.

Minnesota hosts the largest Somali population in the United States, with approximately 84,000 of the nation’s 260,000 Somali residents living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The community is predominantly American citizens – nearly 58% were born in the United States, while 87% of foreign-born Somali residents have attained U.S. citizenship.

The scale of the alleged fraud has drawn national attention. While precise figures remain unclear, prosecutors have estimated losses from one case alone – known as Feeding Our Future – at $300 million. In media interviews over the summer, federal prosecutor Joe Thompson suggested total losses across all cases could exceed $1 billion, a figure Republicans have frequently cited in their criticisms.

Governor Walz acknowledged last week that the $1 billion estimate could be accurate, though he noted an audit due by late January should provide a clearer picture. He maintains his administration has responded aggressively to prevent further fraud.

The Feeding Our Future case represents what prosecutors describe as the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud scheme. The operation involved a state-administered but federally funded program intended to feed children during the pandemic. Defendants allegedly claimed to provide millions of meals to children while diverting the funds for personal use.

The case first came to light in 2022 during President Biden’s administration, when 47 people were initially charged. That number has since grown to 78 as the investigation continues. To date, 57 individuals have been convicted through guilty pleas or trial verdicts, while 13 await trial, two were acquitted, five remain fugitives, and one defendant is deceased.

Federal authorities have expanded their investigation beyond the food program. In September, eight additional individuals were charged for allegedly defrauding federally funded healthcare benefits through the Minnesota Housing Stability Services Program. Two have already pleaded guilty, with prosecutors indicating more charges are forthcoming. Shortly after, authorities charged a woman in connection with an autism program fraud scheme.

“What we see are schemes stacked upon schemes, draining resources meant for those in need. It feels never ending,” Thompson stated when announcing the housing fraud charges. “I have spent my career as a fraud prosecutor and the depth of the fraud in Minnesota takes my breath away.”

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota, more than 90% of individuals charged across these three cases – approximately 86 people – are of Somali descent. This includes 72 of the 78 Feeding Our Future defendants, though the alleged ringleader was identified as a white American woman.

Representative Ilhan Omar, Minnesota’s most prominent Somali American political figure, defended her community on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” arguing it’s unfair to blame the entire Somali population for the actions of a few individuals. She emphasized that most community members are angered by the fraud.

“This also has an impact on Somalis, because we are also taxpayers in Minnesota,” Omar said. “We also could have benefited from the program and the money that was stolen.”

Omar accused Trump of having “an unhealthy obsession” with the Somali community and with her personally, warning that “this kind of hateful rhetoric and this level of dehumanizing can lead to dangerous actions by people who listen to the president.”

Trump’s recent enforcement actions followed claims by the conservative news outlet City Journal that taxpayer dollars from the fraudulent programs had been funneled to the militant group al-Shabab, an al-Qaida affiliate. However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged on “Face the Nation” that investigators have yet to find evidence supporting these allegations.

Unlike previous cases where prosecutors have aggressively pursued terrorism charges against community members allegedly supporting al-Shabab or Islamic State, none of the fraud defendants have been charged with providing material support to foreign terrorist organizations.

“That’s why it’s an investigation. We started it last week. We’ll see where it goes,” Bessent said regarding the terrorism funding allegations.

Omar expressed confidence that any legitimate terrorism links would have already resulted in charges, but affirmed that the community would support accountability if such connections were proven: “If money from U.S. tax dollars is being sent to help with terrorism in Somalia, we want to know and we want those people prosecuted.”