Minnesota Muslim leaders condemn Trump post targeting children in hijabs

A screenshot from the video of kindergarten graduates that Trump reposted. Students' faces have been blurred for their privacy. Photo: Donald Trump / Truth Social

Minnesota Muslim and Somali community leaders are condemning President Donald Trump after he reshared a social media post criticizing Muslim children wearing hijabs during a kindergarten graduation ceremony at a St. Paul public school.

The post, originally shared by another social media user, showed a video of young students and stated, "Public school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Every girl is in a hijab … in kindergarten." Trump reshared the post on his social media platform over the weekend.

The repost sparked condemnation from the Somali American Partnership (SAP), a statewide coalition of Somali-led organizations, and the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), which say the president's actions have placed children at the center of political attacks and contributed to growing anti-Muslim sentiment.

"Children should never be used as political weapons," the Somali American Partnership said in a statement. "Public figures, especially those with significant platforms, have a responsibility to protect children and communities, not expose them to greater harm."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaU8FGr-mI0

SAP held a news conference Wednesday, July 8 in Minneapolis, calling on elected officials, educators, faith leaders and community members to reject anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric and affirm the safety and dignity of all children. Video: Brian Few Jr.

CAIR and CAIR-MN also criticized Trump's decision to amplify the post, saying it could endanger the students and their school.

"By using his global platform to amplify anti-Muslim bigotry and target Muslim children at this elementary school, President Trump is putting lives at risk," the organizations said in a joint statement. "When a political leader validates hate speech, it gives bigots a green light to target minority children. We call on all people of conscience, regardless of political affiliation, to reject this dangerous escalation of religious hatred."

In December, Trump drew criticism for referring to U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Somali immigrants as "garbage" during a televised Cabinet meeting before suggesting they should "go back to where they came from."

Minnesota is home to one of the nation's largest Somali populations, with thousands of Somali American families living throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding communities.