By Scott Carlson
Conduct unbecoming a president
In the last several weeks, President Donald Trump has been regularly lambasting immigrants.
In particular, Trump has focused his vitriolic attacks on Minnesota Somalis. He has called them, among other things, “garbage” and people who should be expelled and deported from America.
Trump’s rhetoric is conduct unbecoming of the president. Any president.
Americans deserve and expect better than this from their top political leader.
The simple truth — if Trump even knows what that is — is the vast majority of Minnesota Somalis are good, law abiding people.
In a statement last month, the St. Paul-based International Institute of Minnesota called out the Trump administration for consistently using policy and rhetoric “to attack immigrants and refugees” since it took office in January, 2025.
The institute noted, “In recent weeks, the president and his allies have targeted the Somali, Burmese, and Afghan communities with hateful, harmful language.
It added, “The president made some of his most incendiary and vitriolic remarks about the Somali community in Minnesota while his administration is purported to be planning a targeted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation against the community. This is one week after he announced plans to revoke Temporary Protected Status for Somali residents living in Minnesota.
“While this is not the first instance of the president or his allies targeting immigrants, we know that their attempts to scapegoat entire communities are not based in fact and only sow division to further separate our nation,” the institute continued. “His words and policies are rooted in destructive falsehoods that do not represent reality.”
The institute added it “condemns this harmful rhetoric that is being used by those in power to dehumanize, vilify, and demean immigrants and refugees.
“We also oppose the anti-immigration policy changes and immigration enforcement operations that have accompanied the persistent verbal attacks on New Americans by the president’s administration.
Since its founding in 1919, the institute has welcomed more than 26,000 refugees to Minnesota, providing New Americans quality services that support their journey to stability and success. Its comprehensive offerings include refugee resettlement, English education, workforce and leadership development, college preparation and immigration and citizenship assistance.
“What we see daily is communities of people from all over the world who are looking to create a new life and contribute to their new home in Minnesota. They bring fresh perspectives, talents, and skills that strengthen our state and create a better place for us all.
“Whether New Americans are from Somalia, Burma, Afghanistan, or anywhere else, we see firsthand how their contributions enrich our community and refute the untruths being told by our presidential administration.
“We stand with the Somali community, and all immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and across our country, and we are asking you to do the same.”
To that I say “Amen.”
Scott Carlson is the managing editor of the Bugle.