In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump has instructed US immigration authorities to specifically target individuals from Somalia as part of a sweeping enforcement operation. The directive, announced on Wednesday 3 December 2025, singles out the Somali community, particularly in the state of Minnesota.
"Somalia Stinks": Trump's Targeted Immigration Directive
During discussions outlining the new enforcement priorities, President Trump made derogatory remarks about the East African nation, stating that Somalia "stinks". This rhetoric has ignited immediate controversy and fears of a discriminatory crackdown. The order signifies a clear escalation in the administration's immigration agenda, moving from broad rhetoric to a focused action against a specific national group.
The reasons for specifically targeting the Somali community in Minnesota, which is one of the largest in the United States, were not elaborated upon with detailed policy justifications in the announcement. The move is expected to have profound implications for community relations and legal challenges.
War Crime Questions Loom Over Defence Secretary Hegseth
The immigration news emerged alongside a final cabinet meeting of the year, where members praised the President. However, the spotlight also fell on Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faced direct media questioning for the first time regarding a potential war crime.
Journalists pressed Hegseth on his involvement in a boat bombing incident in the Caribbean. The details of the operation and the nature of the alleged violation remain under scrutiny. Hegseth's response to the media grilling is now a focal point for critics and supporters alike, adding a layer of gravity to the administration's final high-level gathering of 2025.
A Transformed Pentagon Press Corps
In a parallel development raising eyebrows in Washington, the press corps at the Pentagon has undergone a radical transformation. Traditional journalists have reportedly been replaced by a new cohort featuring conspiracy theorists and a scandal-ridden former congressman.
This overhaul of the media pool covering the US Department of Defence signals a dramatic shift in how military information may be filtered and presented to the public. The move has sparked debates about transparency, credibility, and the administration's relationship with the mainstream press.
These events collectively paint a picture of an administration pushing forward with contentious policies on multiple fronts as the year closes, from immigration and defence to media relations, ensuring heated debates will continue into 2026.
