"These aren’t people who work. These aren’t people who say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’"
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The Washington State chapter of the embattled Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) blasted President Donald Trump over his sharp rhetoric about Somali immigrants and Somali Americans after the administration amplified investigations into alleged fraud networks tied to Minnesota’s Somali community.
CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi said Trump’s remarks were an insult to Somali Americans and immigrants, saying “Washington proudly holds one of the largest Somali-American populations in the nation, and President Trump’s comments are an insult to not only that community, but all immigrants. The Somali community is an amazing success story, with political leaders, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and many hard-working individuals who keep our airport and ports running. We condemn this characterization and call on President Trump to stop singling out and disparaging this thriving community.”
Trump said, "We could go one way or the other, and we’re going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. She’s garbage. Her friends are garbage. These aren’t people who work. These aren’t people who say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’"
Trump’s remarks came amid the revelations of Minnesota government fraud cases and a separate federal probe into whether misused public funds could have been diverted to al-Shabab, the Somalia-based militant group aligned with al Qaeda. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the administration is investigating allegations that Minnesota dollars ended up linked to the terrorist organization.
The president has also moved to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for some Somalis connected to Minnesota, a development civil-rights groups say could destabilize families and communities. CAIR’s denunciation of Trump arrives as the national organization continues to face criticism after being listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case, the largest terrorism-financing trial in US history, in which the non-profit’s leaders were found guilty of funneling money to Hamas.
The controversy surrounding the radical organization has resurfaced since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad drew condemnation after comments in which he said he was “happy” to see the attacks on Oct. 7, a massacre that killed over 1,200 people, including widespread rape, kidnapping of 250 civilians (including Americans), and marked the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.
The Biden administration severed ties with CAIR following the remarks. At CAIR’s recent anniversary gala, the radical organization honored Mahmoud Khalil, who organized Hamas-aligned activism at Columbia University, including anti-Israel rallies, the takeover of Hamilton Hall, trapping custodial staff inside, and distributing Hamas propaganda.
In recent months, Republican lawmakers have escalated demands for federal investigations of CAIR’s finances and legal status. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Billy Long requesting a review of CAIR’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, alleging ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, and arguing tax exemption should not subsidize groups connected to terrorism.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Cotton also asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to investigate CAIR’s funding sources to determine whether the organization is funded or directed by Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced legislation aimed at eliminating tax-exempt status for extremist groups with close ties to terrorist organizations, explicitly naming CAIR as an example. The latest dispute also follows reporting on CAIR’s support for activists in campus protests tied to Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists.
A recent report by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN) alleged that CAIR-California offered interest-free educational loans and $1,000 grants through a “Champions of Justice Fund” for students who lost scholarships, housing, or other institutional support following anti-Israel activism. Watchdog groups argue that such financial assistance risks functioning as a “reward structure” for disruptive or unlawful protest tactics.
CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi said Trump’s remarks were an insult to Somali Americans and immigrants, saying “Washington proudly holds one of the largest Somali-American populations in the nation, and President Trump’s comments are an insult to not only that community, but all immigrants. The Somali community is an amazing success story, with political leaders, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and many hard-working individuals who keep our airport and ports running. We condemn this characterization and call on President Trump to stop singling out and disparaging this thriving community.”
"Washington state is home to a large, thriving, and vibrant Somali community. CAIR-WA repudiates the President’s statements and wholeheartedly stands with Somali-Americans and Somali immigrants in our state and nationally," he added.
The statement, obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, followed Trump’s televised comments during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, during which he called radical Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) "garbage," accusing her and fellow Somali migrants of coming into the US and offering nothing but complaints.Trump said, "We could go one way or the other, and we’re going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. She’s garbage. Her friends are garbage. These aren’t people who work. These aren’t people who say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’"
Trump’s remarks came amid the revelations of Minnesota government fraud cases and a separate federal probe into whether misused public funds could have been diverted to al-Shabab, the Somalia-based militant group aligned with al Qaeda. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the administration is investigating allegations that Minnesota dollars ended up linked to the terrorist organization.
The president has also moved to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for some Somalis connected to Minnesota, a development civil-rights groups say could destabilize families and communities. CAIR’s denunciation of Trump arrives as the national organization continues to face criticism after being listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case, the largest terrorism-financing trial in US history, in which the non-profit’s leaders were found guilty of funneling money to Hamas.
The controversy surrounding the radical organization has resurfaced since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad drew condemnation after comments in which he said he was “happy” to see the attacks on Oct. 7, a massacre that killed over 1,200 people, including widespread rape, kidnapping of 250 civilians (including Americans), and marked the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.
The Biden administration severed ties with CAIR following the remarks. At CAIR’s recent anniversary gala, the radical organization honored Mahmoud Khalil, who organized Hamas-aligned activism at Columbia University, including anti-Israel rallies, the takeover of Hamilton Hall, trapping custodial staff inside, and distributing Hamas propaganda.
In recent months, Republican lawmakers have escalated demands for federal investigations of CAIR’s finances and legal status. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Billy Long requesting a review of CAIR’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, alleging ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, and arguing tax exemption should not subsidize groups connected to terrorism.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Cotton also asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to investigate CAIR’s funding sources to determine whether the organization is funded or directed by Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced legislation aimed at eliminating tax-exempt status for extremist groups with close ties to terrorist organizations, explicitly naming CAIR as an example. The latest dispute also follows reporting on CAIR’s support for activists in campus protests tied to Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists.
A recent report by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN) alleged that CAIR-California offered interest-free educational loans and $1,000 grants through a “Champions of Justice Fund” for students who lost scholarships, housing, or other institutional support following anti-Israel activism. Watchdog groups argue that such financial assistance risks functioning as a “reward structure” for disruptive or unlawful protest tactics.
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