President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for his handling of a welfare fraud scandal involving the Somali community in the state. In a post on Truth Social dated November 27, 2024, Trump referred to Walz as “seriously retarded,” claiming that the governor has failed to take action against Somalians allegedly misusing taxpayer funds to support the Islamic terrorist organization, Al-Shabaab.
Trump’s remarks came as he addressed reporters aboard Air Force One, where he reiterated his sentiments about Walz, stating, “I think there’s something wrong with him, absolutely.” He criticized the governor for permitting what he described as a misuse of state resources, saying, “Anybody that would allow those people into his state and pay billions of dollars out to Somalia… There’s something wrong with Walz.” He expressed concern about the financial aid provided to Somalia, calling the country dysfunctional.
The controversy centers around allegations that Somalians in Minnesota have redirected significant sums of money—described by Trump as “untold millions”—to Al-Shabaab, a group implicated in various attacks against Americans. In a notable case, a member of this group was convicted in November 2024 for plotting a terrorist attack similar to the September 11 attacks in the United States.
In response to the ongoing situation, Trump announced he would terminate the federal government’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for the Somali community in Minnesota, affecting tens of thousands of individuals. He characterized the state as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity,” asserting that “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of dollars are missing.” His comments called for the deportation of individuals benefiting from the TPS program, stating, “Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!”
Minnesota officials have also placed blame on Governor Walz for what they call a “cascade of systemic failures” that allowed the welfare fraud scandal to escalate. Recent estimates indicate that Minnesota is home to approximately 79,000 Somalians, making it the U.S. state with the largest Somali population, according to data from Minnesota Compass covering the years 2019-2023.
The implications of these allegations and subsequent remarks from Trump have ignited a broader conversation regarding immigration policy, welfare fraud, and community relations in Minnesota. As the situation unfolds, the focus will likely remain on the actions taken by state officials and the federal government in response to these serious allegations.
