The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s repeated and racially charged attacks on the Somali-American community during his State of the Union address.
During Tuesday night’s speech, President Trump referred to members of Minnesota’s Somali community as “pirates” who had “ransacked Minnesota” and falsely claimed, without evidence, that the community had stolen $19 billion. The remarks echo his previous statements alleging that Somali-Americans “don’t work” and “contribute nothing,” rhetoric that has already fueled harassment and hostility toward the community.
In a statement, CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said:
“These repeated attacks and outright lies are despicable, racist, anti-Black, and anti-Muslim. When the President of the United States singles out an entire ethnic community and equates millions of law-abiding people with criminality, it is not political discourse. It is dangerous scapegoating. It undermines the safety and dignity of Somali-American families across Minnesota and this nation.”
“This is the oldest tactic in the racist playbook: take the alleged misconduct of a few individuals and weaponize it against an entire community. Somali-Americans are not a political punching bag. We will not allow our community to be used as a scapegoat to inflame fear or distract from real policy failures. Our community is hardworking and resilient.
“Somali-Americans are raising families, building businesses, strengthening neighborhoods and serving this state with distinction. Minnesota’s success story includes Somali-Americans. We are not outsiders. We are part of the American story. History teaches us that when leaders traffic in fear and division, communities suffer.
“But history also teaches us that justice ultimately prevails. We will continue to stand firm, speak truth, and defend the dignity of our community. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”
CAIR-MN emphasized that Somali-Americans are overwhelmingly U.S. citizens or lawful residents and are deeply woven into Minnesota’s social and economic fabric. Somali-Minnesotans are small business owners, healthcare workers, truck drivers, educators, entrepreneurs and public servants. They generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual income, pay tens of millions in state and local taxes, and contribute billions to Minnesota’s economy.
CAIR-MN warned that dehumanizing rhetoric from national leaders has real-world consequences, including increased harassment, threats and acts of violence targeting Somali owned businesses, day care centers and religious institutions.
The organization called on local, state and federal officials from both parties to unequivocally condemn anti-Somali, anti-Muslim and anti-Black rhetoric and to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of targeted communities.
CAIR-MN urged community members to remain vigilant, report any incidents of harassment or threats, and remain engaged in civic life. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the civil rights and safety of Somali-American families throughout Minnesota.
CAIR-MN is the state’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACTS: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-408-7183, sadan@cair.com; Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com