Jacob Frey calls Somali community family at Independence Day event
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey pledged solidarity to members of the city’s Somali community over the weekend, telling them they are “our family” during Somali Independence Day celebrations and praising their contributions to the city.
Frey’s remarks come as Minnesota faces scrutiny over multiple high-profile fraud investigations and weeks after a report from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee alleged that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s administration failed to act on repeated warnings about widespread fraud in the state’s social service programs.
“In the most difficult times and with the escalation of Operation Metro, we all saw that they were trying to go after some of us,” Frey told members of the Somali community on Saturday. “And when that happens, we say you will come for all of us.”
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks as attendees stand on stage holding Somali flags during Somali Independence Day celebrations in Minneapolis. (Credit: Mayor Jacob Frey
“In Minneapolis, we loved our neighbors. In Minneapolis, we don’t see you as immigrants. We see you as family,” he added. “You are our brothers. You are our sisters. You have done so much for this incredible city, and we stand with you for that.”
Frey appeared to be referring to Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s immigration and public safety initiative in Minnesota.
The operation ended in February after border czar Tom Homan announced it had resulted in the arrests of more than 4,000 people in Minneapolis-St. Paul and reduced what he described as threats to public safety.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks to the media at City Hall on January 9. (Aaron Lavinsky/Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Frey shared the video on X, writing, “Happy Somali Independence Day.”
“Here in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, we celebrate the resilience, culture and leadership that continues to enrich our city and community,” he said.
Earlier this month, a report from the Republican-led House Oversight Committee alleged that the Walz administration repeatedly failed to act on warnings of frauds involving state social service programs, including the Feeding Our Future scandal.
HOME SURVEILLANCE REPORT CLAIMS WALZ ADMINISTRATION IGNORED FRAUD WARNINGS WHILE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE LOST
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz speaks at a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)
More than 110 people have been charged in connection with various fraud schemes in Minnesota, including several defendants identified as members of Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community, the committee said.
The report also alleged that concerns over potential allegations of racial discrimination contributed to delays in addressing suspected fraud, and estimated that Minnesota lost nearly $300 million in stolen federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Walz administration officials disputed the committee’s findings.
Fox News Digital’s Adam Pack contributed to this report.
