Overview
- President Trump denigrated Somali immigrants during a Cabinet meeting, including calling them "garbage" and saying he does not want them in the country.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly lauded the moment as "epic" and "amazing," highlighting the remarks as a signature moment of the meeting.
- Trump’s Truth Social posts promised to permanently pause migration from "Third World" countries, pursue reverse migration, and denaturalize migrants deemed to undermine domestic tranquility.
- The New Republic’s discussion with Vedant Patel and Greg Sargent criticized the press operation as partisan propaganda and noted that denaturalization proposals would face serious legal obstacles.
- Reporting cited by The New Republic described increased ICE activity in Minnesota’s Somali communities, including stops where people were asked for passports or papers, while most Republicans offered little public criticism and JD Vance voiced support as Tim Pawlenty urged against stigmatizing groups.