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Emmer Defends Somalis Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks

12/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about Somali residents in his Minnesota district prompted scrutiny of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
Emmer said not all Somalis are bad when asked if he agreed with Trump’s description of about 5,000 Somali residents as 'garbage'.
Emmer claimed 90 percent of crimes charged are from the Somali community.
Trump previously said Somalis contribute nothing and should be limited.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about Somali residents in his Minnesota district prompted scrutiny of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
Emmer said not all Somalis are bad when asked if he agreed with Trump’s description of about 5,000 Somali residents as 'garbage'.
Emmer claimed 90 percent of crimes charged are from the Somali community.
Trump previously said Somalis contribute nothing and should be limited.