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US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) with her son, Adnan; and daughters, Ilwad and Isra. Omar is the first hijabi and first Somali American Muslim elected to the US Congress. Photo credit: starsunfolded.com
President Trump has recently called US Rep. Ilhan Omar “garbage” and immigrants like her “garbage” too. That is a vile and dangerous thing to say. Rep. Omar and Somalis in Minnesota and across the country are now being harassed and threatened thanks to President Trump and his MAGA lunatics.
DJT has a longstanding history of using dehumanizing language toward his political adversaries and marginalized groups, frequently referring to them as "vermin," "enemies from within," and other disparaging terms.
Everything that comes out of Trump's mouth is a lie or exaggeration of the truth. His double standards really need to stop, and his hatred of Somalis and brown people isn't doing the country any good. It is even more disturbing that all members of the President's cabinet as well as MAGA clan are not embarrassed by Trump's incendiary and vile statements even when it slanders people of color.
Just read a report by the Independent about a 30-year-old Florida man is facing up to six years in federal prison after confessing to posting violent threats on X that promised to decapitate Rep. Ilhan Omar, murder her “monkey children,” then eat the kids “for protein." Via Independent. That's what you would expect when the "Clown" sitting in the White House demonizes a group of people and calls them "garbage."
Trump raised real concerns about fraud
President Trump raised real concern about $250 million fraud case committed by 8 Somalis in the State of Minnesota and I do agree. But he conveniently ignores to mention the over $1 BILLION fraud cases committed during the time period by another 79 Americans. Were those people who committed fraud white? Were they Jews? Were they Devil-worshippers? That's misleading and inquiring minds wants to know.
Mainstream media should have questioned the president about that. After all, it is our tax money. Homeless veterans and school children and seniors (including Somalis) could have benefited out of that. I did not defend or justify any crimes committed by any Muslim, but I do despise the selective morality and the cherry-picking.
Notable Somalis from Ohio
* Contrary to what President Trump said, the Somalis I have met in central Oho have been very upstanding and friendly people. They built many shopping malls, mosques, and many successful businesses like I have never seen before. My youngest son's best friend is a successful Somali businessman whose name is Mos'ab. He is a real estate agent who already owns a property out of state at age 20. He is happy, loves America happy, and unlike what Trump said, he accomplished, does not go around pitching and complaining as Trump describes people like him. Shamefully, President Trump acts as 100% white trash.
* In 1997, I served as an instructional assistant in public middle schools where I met many Somali students. It used to break my heart to see some of them could barely speak English or put a sentence together, but they were determined to succeed. Years later, I met some of them who became doctors, lawyers, nurses, and engineers. And yes, several chose to enlist in the US armed forces.
Munira Abdullahi won the primary on August 2022 and ran unopposed in the November 2022 general election. Miss Abudllahi is a prominent figure in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 9th District. She is the first Somali American and the first Muslim woman to serve the Ohio House. She was the one lawmaker to vote against a resolution condemning the October 7 a.k.a. breaking the illegal siege on Gaza. Her vote was in response to concerns about lack of mention of Palestinian victims of the violence. and later she refused to take free propaganda trip to Israel. Abdullahi and Rep. Ismail Mohamed are the first two Somali American representatives in Ohio.
Abukar Arman is a Somali political analyst, writer, and former diplomat who served as Somalia's Special Envoy to the United State. He is widely published foreign policy specialist, writing extensively on Somalia and internation political affairs according to Wikipedia. Arman has lived in the US for over 30 years and has been a community activist, serving on various boards and committees. I am proud to say that he is a good friend mine who has played a vital role in cultivating relationships and building bridges of understanding among America's diverse communities, especially between Muslims and people of other faiths.
Official figures reveal that nearly 58 per cent of Somalis in America were born in the U.S. Furthermore, among the foreign-born Somali population there, a significant 87 per cent are naturalized U.S. citizens. After all, the US president has no legal authority to deport US citizens. Period!
Abraham Lincoln, renowned for his wisdom and insight, once said, "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better." Had President Trump met my son's Somali friend or others like him, he would be less hostile and more friendly towards Somalis.
It is offensive and disgusting to call them "garbage." Trump's non-stop blithering hatred of his political "foes," minorities, and immigrants, is what is weakening this country to the point that America's Greatness is a thing of the past!
President Donald Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting. "We can go one way or the other, and we're going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country." With all due respect to President Donald Trump, he is a relentless bullshitter.
With that being said, I would say that making disparaging remarks against Somalis or other groups in America is nasty and befitting of a president. After all, didn't the Bible say, "God says those who bless Somalia will be blessed, and those who curse Somalis will be cursed."
Trump vs Omar video that went viral.
Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com
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