The article argues that Donald Trump’s administration exhibits fascistic traits through its treatment of the Somali immigrant community in Minnesota. It highlights Trump’s derogatory remarks toward Somali Americans, whom he has labeled “garbage” and instructed to “go back to where they came from.” The recent welfare fraud investigation, which implicated a small percentage of Somali individuals, has fueled Trump’s rhetoric further, allowing him to attack the broader community unjustly.
Key actions include Trump’s announcement of ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for all Somalis, inappropriate comments about Minnesota’s Somali population, and unfounded allegations connecting them to terrorism. Trump’s statements and social media posts paint an image of Somalis as a dangerous group, and his cabinet has responded affirmatively to these tirades rather than dissenting.
Furthermore, Trump’s rally speeches have included mocking remarks about Somali Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and inciting crowd chants to “send her back.” His language often dehumanizes immigrants and conveys an anti-immigrant sentiment, contrasting immigrants from predominantly White countries favorably against those from “shithole countries” like Somalia.
The piece contends that such actions reflect a rejection of democratic values, aligning more with authoritarian tactics of vilifying minority groups, scapegoating them for societal issues, and inciting public hostility. It poses the question of whether there are limits to this persecution within the government and society, implying that if such limits exist, they have yet to be tested.
