Representative Tom Emmer once stood up for his Somali constituents. Now, as Trump and the MAGA movement escalate attacks on Somali Minnesotans—calling them “garbage” and falsely blaming them for crime—Emmer is standing by in silence or echoing these dangerous claims. This is a betrayal of the very people who helped elect him and who call Minnesota home.

The Somali community in Minnesota is not a political talking point—it’s a vibrant, integral part of our state. From St. Cloud to the Twin Cities, Somali Americans contribute to our schools, businesses, and neighborhoods. Many fled war and hardship to find peace here, only to be vilified by those in power.

In 2015, Rep. Emmer told constituents they couldn't slam the door on Somali immigrants just because they arrived first. He co-founded the Congressional Somalia Caucus and worked across the aisle to support Somali families here and abroad. What happened to that leadership?

Now, when it matters most, Rep. Emmer is silent. Worse, he’s defending Trump’s racist attacks and repeating false claims that demonize an entire community. Instead of condemning Trump’s hate speech, Emmer is aligning with it—just to hold onto political power.

We call on Rep. Emmer to:

• Unequivocally condemn Trump’s dehumanizing remarks about Somali Americans
• Publicly apologize for spreading false crime statistics about Somali Minnesotans
• Hold a town hall with the Somali community in St. Cloud and listen to their concerns directly
• Reaffirm his past commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all Minnesotans, regardless of race, religion, or origin

Minnesota deserves leaders who rise above fear and division. We urge Rep. Emmer to remember the values he once claimed to stand for and to speak out now—before more damage is done.

Sign if you believe our representatives should protect communities from hate, not pander to it.

Photo: Glen Stubbe/The Minnesota Star Tribune