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Trump’s rhetoric extended to attacks on Democratic lawmakers such as Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is of Somali origin, connecting the fraud narrative to longstanding political feuds and amplifying claims about misuse of taxpayer funds while making controversial remarks about Somali immigrants more broadly.
Among the strongest policy moves was the announcement to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants — a designation that had previously given some members of the community legal protections due to instability in Somalia — and to boost federal enforcement activity, including immigration operations in Minnesota.
Critics have called Trump’s approach racially charged and overbroad, arguing that it unfairly targets an entire community for the actions of a minority of individuals, while defenders argue that decisive action is needed to crack down on fraud and protect taxpayers.
What the Investigations Actually Show
While fraud has undoubtedly occurred in multiple Minnesota assistance programs, the scale and nature are matters of debate:
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged more than 90 people in connection with various fraud schemes, with many convictions recorded. These charges span programs beyond child care, including nutrition, housing and Medicaid‑related reimbursements.
Investigators emphasize that these cases involve schemes to submit false or inflated claims for services not actually provided, billing millions in public funds.
