WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump blasted Somalian immigrants in Minnesota as “garbage” he doesn't want in the country who commit fraud, complaints that local officials called racist and un-American.

Trump’s comments closing out his Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting came after reports that dozens of Somalian immigrants had been charged with fraud for allegedly stealing $1 billion from Minnesota programs such as COVID-19 pandemic relief.

"Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars," Trump said of Somali immigrants. "They contribute nothing."

Trump calls Gov. Walz 'incompetent,' Rep. Omar 'garbage'

Trump called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee on the ticket in 2024, “grossly incompetent.” Trump singled out U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, who was born in Somalia and who has served in Congress since 2019, accusing her of criticizing the Constitution and hating everybody, including Jews.

“I think she’s an incompetent person. She’s a real terrible person,” Trump said. “She’s garbage.”

Trump’s complaints came as Immigration and Customs Enforcement is ramping up in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“I don’t want them in my country,” Trump said. “Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks.”

Omar calls Trump's attention 'creepy'

Trump has targeted Somali refugees in Minnesota in each of his campaigns. Walz welcomed support investigating and prosecuting crime on social media but said “indiscriminately targeting immigrants is not a real solution to a problem.”

Omar called Trump’s attention “creepy” on social media Dec. 2.

“His obsession with me is creepy,” Omar said. “I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.”

She and other Minnesota officials have supported Somali immigrants.

“To our Somali communities here in Minnesota and across the country: we see you and we stand with you,” Omar said on social media Nov. 24. “None of Trump's lawless threats will ever change that you make our state and country great.”

'When the President responds with division and racism, it's un-American': St. Paul mayor

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said on social media immigrants “strengthen our nation.”

“Our Somali community is no exception,” Carter said. “When the President responds with division and racism, it’s un-American and against everything we stand for.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on social media his city 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,” Frey said. “Nothing Donald Trump does will ever change that.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump calls Somalians 'garbage,' which Minnesota officials call racism

Reporting by Bart Jansen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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