Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey celebrated Somali Independence Day this week by declaring that the city’s Somali population is not one of immigrants, but of “family”— quickly igniting criticism on social media amid ongoing scrutiny of large-scale fraud investigations involving Somali-run organizations in Minnesota.
In a post on X, Frey shared a video commemorating Somalia’s Independence Day, writing that Minneapolis was celebrating “the resilience, culture, and leadership that continue to enrich our city.”
Happy Somali Independence Day!
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) June 28, 2026
Here in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, we celebrate the resilience, culture, and leadership that continue to enrich our city and community. pic.twitter.com/RP7jlgO5ar
In the video, Frey praised the city’s Somali community and pledged his support.
“Through the most difficult of times and through Operation Metro Surge, we all saw that they tried to come for some of us,” Frey said. “And, when that happens, we say that you’re coming for all of us. In Minneapolis, we love our neighbors. In Minneapolis, we do not see you as immigrants, we see you as our family.”
“You are our brothers, you are our sisters. You have done so much for this incredible city, and for that, we stand with you,” he added.
According to KARE 11, Somali Independence Day is observed on July 1 and commemorates the unification of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland following independence from European colonial rule.
Frey’s remarks, however, were met with criticism from several conservative commentators and social media users, many of whom pointed to recent fraud investigations involving Somali-owned organizations in Minnesota.
Conservative commentator Matt Van Swol referenced the federal Feeding Our Future case, writing on X that “The Somali community in Minnesota alone stole $250 million from federal child nutrition programs meant to feed hungry underprivileged children.”
Independent journalist Nick Sortor similarly criticized the mayor, asking, “Are you really too stupid to understand the Somalis simply see you as their useful idiot?”
Townhall columnist Dustin Grage also weighed in, joking that Frey’s public references to national holidays appeared heavily tilted toward Somalia, while another social media user asked, “Minnesota taxpayers, do you feel enriched?”
The criticism comes as federal and state authorities continue investigating multiple fraud schemes involving taxpayer-funded programs in Minnesota.
Earlier this year, more than 20 locations across Minneapolis—including several childcare centers—were raided as part of investigations into alleged fraud connected to Somali-owned businesses.
Those investigations followed the massive Feeding Our Future prosecution, in which federal authorities revealed defendants stole approximately $250 million from a pandemic-era nutrition program intended to feed low-income children. The case has resulted in dozens of indictments and convictions.
More recently, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal investigators have expanded resources dedicated to combating fraud in Minnesota, calling it a top priority and warning that previously uncovered schemes represent “just the tip of a very large iceberg.”
Citizen journalist Nick Shirley has also drawn national attention with videos documenting visits to childcare centers in Minnesota that allegedly received millions of dollars in public funding despite appearing inactive. In several videos, Shirley reported finding facilities with little or no visible evidence that children were present or that childcare operations were actively taking place.
Frey has previously drawn attention for his outreach to Minneapolis’s Somali community. Following his reelection in 2025, the mayor delivered portions of his victory speech in Somali.
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