Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey found himself at the center of a political firestorm after sharing a message directed at the city’s Somali diaspora community. The statement, delivered in Somali, was meant to reassure residents that city leadership stood with them as attacks from President Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement intensified. What followed was a rapid and angry response from far-right activists online.
Almost immediately after the message circulated, critics accused Frey of pandering and questioned his decision to speak in a language other than English. The loudest reaction came from conservative commentator Meghan McCain, who took to X to voice her outrage.
“ENOUGH OF THIS! YOU ARE THE MAYOR OF AN AMERICAN CITY. ENOUGH!” she wrote, reacting to Frey’s use of Somali to reach part of his constituency.
The comment triggered swift pushback from immigration advocates and political observers, who argued that addressing residents in their native language is neither unusual nor un-American. American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick offered a sharp rebuttal, pointing to history to make his case.
“Fiorello LaGuardia, famously considered one of New York’s best mayors in history, spoke multiple languages and was known for using them on the campaign trail,” Reichlin-Melnick wrote. “It’s absurd for anyone to attack a politician for taking the time to speak with his constituents in their language.”
Supporters of the mayor echoed that sentiment, noting that Minneapolis is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States. For many residents, Frey’s message was seen as a gesture of solidarity rather than a political stunt, especially at a moment when federal scrutiny has increased.
Tensions have risen as the Trump administration reopened a fraud investigation into public benefits funding in Minnesota. The probe revisits a case that previously resulted in several convictions during the Biden administration. While officials say the investigation is ongoing, its renewed focus has heightened anxiety within the Somali community, which has faced increased suspicion and political rhetoric in recent months.
Fueling the controversy further, a right-wing YouTuber claimed to have uncovered fraudulent daycare centers receiving public funds. However, a CBS News fact check has raised serious doubts about those allegations, suggesting that some claims were exaggerated or unsupported.
As the debate continues, the episode has highlighted a familiar divide in American politics: whether engaging diverse communities in their own languages is a sign of inclusion or something to be condemned. For Frey and his supporters, the answer appears clear.
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