Last December, President Trump made disparaging comments in which he referred to Somali people in Minnesota as “garbage”—a vile and dangerous thing to say. Shortly after, Somalis across the country were harassed and threatened, fueled by rhetoric from President Trump and his MAGA supporters. Trump and his allies have a longstanding history of using dehumanizing language toward their political adversaries and marginalized groups.
This week, I was deeply troubled by Sen. Bernie Marino’s latest attacks against our Somali neighbors in central Ohio, in which he falsely accused a Somali driver of causing a multi-car accident on Interstate 71 near the U.S. 36/State Route 37 exit—an accident in which three people were killed, including an infant.
The fact is that neither Channel 6 News nor the Highway Patrol has identified the semi-truck driver as a “Somali national” or someone “naturalized under Obama.” All that has been reported is that the driver, 50-year-old Modou F. Ngom, was arrested in connection with the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 71 in Columbus.
Where Sen. Marino came up with the claim that the driver was Somali is beyond me. Why does he see fit to exploit such a tragic event to gain attention?
This also begs the question: why would it matter if the driver—who was not Somali—had been naturalized under President Obama? How is that relevant? Sen. Marino’s remarks are puzzling. Would it make a difference if the driver had been naturalized under President Trump instead? I don’t think so.
Ohio GOP’s Hatred of Muslims Runs Deep
The GOP’s hostility toward Muslims runs deep and wide. Too often, Republican leaders ignore the sacrifices and contributions of Somali and Muslim Americans to the safety and well-being of the United States, instead resorting to rhetoric that fuels division and prejudice.
Republican Contenders Declined a Muslim Invitation
Several years ago, candidates vying to be Ohio’s next governor were invited by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to participate in a panel discussion and meet members of the local Muslim community. All Democratic candidates accepted the invitation and attended. However, none of the Republican candidates showed up or even responded.
Surprised but not shocked, I asked CAIR about the lack of response. I was told simply, “They did not respond to the invitation, period.” Later, I learned that one candidate had replied, saying they would attend only if all Republican candidates agreed to participate.
Given that Republican officials often accuse Muslims of failing to assimilate into American society, their refusal to engage with Muslim communities is not only contradictory but also deeply disappointing.
Prior to J.D. Vance winning Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat in the November 8, 2022, election, he—along with his Republican opponent Josh Mandel—met with a wide range of ethnic and religious groups, yet declined to meet with Muslim Ohioans. Why?
I am aware that some Republican officials view Muslim Americans as unpatriotic or “other,” and question whether constitutional protections fully apply to them. A U.S. congressman from New York once claimed that Muslim Americans are not truly American. In another instance, a Texas state representative demanded that Muslim constituents swear allegiance beside an Israeli flag she had placed on her desk. Such actions raise serious questions about the attitudes of some elected officials.
My advice to Republican candidates is this: excluding Muslims does not reflect well on Ohio. Instead of ignoring or alienating Muslim constituents, candidates should engage with them and recognize them as an asset, not a liability. Perhaps they could visit some of the 88 mosques across our state. I am confident they would be welcomed with open hearts and open minds.
Local Somalis Are Understandably Upset
Local Somali activists have expressed outrage. Engr Mohamed, a community advocate, wrote on Facebook: “This is clearly racism and xenophobia. After a deadly accident, Senator Moreno spread lies and blamed Somali Americans, who were not involved. The driver was not even Somali American, yet Moreno—like Trump and his party—pushed that false narrative.” He added, “It is racist to single out an ethnic group without facts and xenophobic to exploit fear of immigrants for political gain.”
Rooble Melvin commented, “Let’s bombard his office tomorrow with phone calls and demand an apology.”
Ahmed Riyo added, “Look at the driver’s name—I’ve never seen a Somali name like that. I hear he is from Senegal. But that shouldn’t matter. Why would someone in office push a false narrative and scapegoat Somalis for something they had nothing to do with? This is more than obsession.”
Republican Rhetoric Must Change
In conclusion, Trump and many Republican leaders have a longstanding pattern of using dehumanizing language to describe their political opponents and marginalized groups, often labeling them “vermin,” “enemies from within,” and other derogatory terms. Such rhetoric fuels division and undermines public trust.
It is equally troubling that other Ohio lawmakers have neither condemned nor distanced themselves from Sen. Marino’s false and inflammatory statements, which unfairly malign Somali Americans.
The April 12 tweet by Sen. Bernie Marino regarding this tragic accident is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of public office, and a betrayal of the trust of all Ohioans. A retraction and a formal apology to the Somali community are warranted.
Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com
Image credit for additional image at bottom of article: Tragic end for a young Ohio family on I-71. Just after 6:30 PM on April 11, 36-year-old veterinarian Dr. Lynnea Soposki, her 37-year-old husband Luke, and their 1-year-old son Logan were killed instantly when a semi slammed into their vehicle in backed-up traffic from a construction zone near the US 36 and State Route 37 exit. Photo credit: X
