Overview
- At his Dec. 2 news conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the slur was "not the word I would choose" and portrayed Trump's remark as a spontaneous reaction to alleged fraud.
- Johnson cited Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer in referencing a potential multi‑billion‑dollar figure and said Congress and the administration would look into the allegations.
- Asked by reporters days after his post, Trump reaffirmed the attack on Walz, replying, "Absolutely. Sure. You have a problem with it?"
- Gov. Tim Walz condemned the language and the portrayal of Minnesota's Somali community, calling the remark damaging and accusing Trump of demonizing immigrants.
- Republican pushback has been limited, though Indiana state legislator Mike Bohacek criticized the slur and said he would oppose a GOP redistricting effort in his state, and the administration has ordered a review of green cards from 19 "high‑risk" countries including Somalia.