President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that immigrants from Somalia were responsible for widespread fraud in Minnesota and took aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar in a sharply worded social media post, as the state confronts an ongoing welfare fraud investigation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump alleged that a significant share of the fraud in Minnesota was tied to people who entered the United States illegally from Somalia. He also criticized Omar, a Democrat who represents Minneapolis, accusing her of benefiting from or enabling the alleged wrongdoing.
Trump wrote that “much of the Minnesota Fraud” was caused by people who came to the country illegally from Somalia and singled out Omar with personal and inflammatory remarks, repeating long-debunked claims about her background and calling for Somali immigrants to be sent back to their country of origin.
Why It Matters
Omar has increasingly become a focal point of Republican attacks, particularly around immigration and fraud allegations linked to Minnesota’s Somali American community. While she has not been accused of any wrongdoing, Trump and his allies have attempted to associate her with broader fraud cases under investigation in the state.
Federal prosecutors have said that more than 60 people have been convicted in Minnesota fraud cases so far, with more than 90 individuals charged. The cases involve alleged misuse of public funds across multiple state and federally funded programs.
What to Know
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it would freeze child care funding for Minnesota and order audits of certain daycare centers following revelations of fraud in state-run assistance programs. Estimates of the total cost to taxpayers range from $250 million to as much as $1 billion. Investigations by both state and federal authorities remain ongoing.
Omar, Minnesota’s most prominent Somali American elected official, was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen as a teenager after fleeing civil war with her family. She was the first Somali American elected to Congress and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the House. She is not implicated in any of the fraud cases under investigation.
Responding briefly to Trump’s comments, Omar wrote on X, “His obsession with me is creepy.”
Trump’s remarks follow years of incendiary rhetoric directed at Omar and the Somali American community. Omar has previously described such comments as racist and dehumanizing. Earlier this month, Trump reportedly said Somali immigrants were “completely taking over” Minnesota, and weeks earlier his administration ended temporary legal protections for some Somalis living in the United States.
The administration has also framed the Minnesota cases as justification for a broader immigration crackdown. The White House and the Department of Homeland Security said they are reviewing the immigration status of Somali Americans convicted of welfare fraud to determine whether denaturalization proceedings are possible.
“It’s something the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State is currently looking at right now,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday during an interview on Fox & Friends. “It’s something this administration has already done.”
Understanding the Minnesota Fraud Investigations
Federal authorities have spent years investigating large-scale fraud in Minnesota’s social service programs, particularly those involving child nutrition and daycare subsidies. The most prominent case centers on Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit tied to a $300 million scheme. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 92 people were charged in that case, 82 of whom are Somali Americans.
The investigation, launched in 2022, has resulted in 57 convictions to date. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson has estimated that total losses across all related fraud cases could exceed $1 billion, involving funds intended to support low-income families and children.
Earlier this month, a federal prosecutor alleged that up to half of the $18 billion in federal aid sent to Minnesota across 14 programs since 2018 may have been misused. In response, the Trump administration initiated audits of daycare centers and began reviewing the immigration status of those convicted, with officials openly discussing potential denaturalization.
Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz, have acknowledged the seriousness of the fraud but warned against using the cases to stigmatize immigrant communities. Walz has said an independent audit expected in January will help clarify the true scope of the misconduct.
What People Are Saying
DeVory Darkins, a conservative podcaster, wrote on X that Omar “is no stranger to fraud” and suggested she should leave the country.
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the bureau had already increased personnel and investigative resources in Minnesota to dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs. He said the FBI has so far dismantled a $250 million fraud operation involving food aid intended for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, uncovering sham vendors, shell companies, and extensive money laundering.
What Happens Next
No new investigations or findings of wrongdoing involving Rep. Omar have been announced, and she has not been charged in any fraud case. Audits and criminal proceedings related to Minnesota’s welfare programs are expected to continue.
