Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent disparaging statements about Somali immigrants, calling the remarks “vile, racist lies and slander towards our fellow Minnesotans.”

Trump this week referred to Somali immigrants as “garbage,” and said “they’ve destroyed our country.” The comments came amid reports of a planned federal immigration operation targeting Minnesota’s Somali community.

Tens of thousands of Somali Americans call Minnesota home.

Speaking Thursday at an event on the latest state budget forecast, Walz started by addressing Trump’s comments. He lamented that “we’ve got little children going to school today, who their president called them garbage.” • WednesdayMinneapolis mayor acts to deter possible federal crackdown as Somali community

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