Lawmaker Slams Trump as a ‘National Embarrassment’ After Fiery Anti-Immigration Speech in Pennsylvania

President Donald Trump is once again under heavy criticism after his affordability-focused rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, took a sharp turn into an angry anti-immigration tirade on Tuesday evening.

Trump, who has intensified his immigration crackdown following the arrest of an Afghan national in last month’s shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., laid out sweeping restrictions he wants imposed on both legal and illegal immigration. Advocacy groups say the measures unfairly punish entire communities.

Addressing supporters, Trump declared, “I’ve announced a permanent pause on third world migration, including from hell holes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and many other countries.” When a member of the crowd yelled “shthole,” Trump laughed and replied, “I didn’t say ‘sht-hole.’ You did!” — a remark that reignited memories of his 2018 controversy involving the same slur.

He continued with more inflammatory comments, claiming he once questioned Democratic lawmakers about why the U.S. accepts immigrants from “sh-thole countries” instead of places like “Norway, Sweden or Denmark.” Trump went on to describe Somalia as “filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime.”

Targeting of Somali Community Draws Outrage

Trump’s renewed focus on Somali immigrants comes just days after he called Somalia “barely a country” and referred to Somali immigrants as “garbage” during a Cabinet meeting—remarks that sparked protests and condemnation from Democratic lawmakers.

He also reignited his feud with Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia. Trump told supporters that Omar “does nothing but b-tch” and suggested she should be removed from the country. The crowd responded with chants of “send her back.”

Omar fired back on social media, saying Trump’s “obsession” with her is “beyond weird,” adding: “Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead… He continues to be a national embarrassment.”

Last week, lawmakers including Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and Sen. Cory Booker condemned Trump’s rhetoric as “xenophobic and unacceptable,” stressing that Somali Americans have made significant contributions to the country.

Economic Concerns Take a Backseat

The rally was originally meant to highlight Trump’s affordability agenda as inflation concerns rise nationwide. Instead, immigration dominated his speech.

Trump insisted that “America is winning again,” blaming the Biden administration for high prices and promising lower costs and bigger paychecks. After the event, he took to Truth Social, writing: “There has never been a President that has worked as hard as me! My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best.”

As backlash mounts, critics accuse Trump of using divisive rhetoric to galvanize support ahead of crucial policy and political battles.