Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
The Associated Press
Minneapolis

Ellison calls on Trump to condemn Minnesota mosque bombing

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison
U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison talked to the audience about the importance of supporting black-owned businesses Nov. 10, 2015.
Doualy Xaykaothao | MPR News 2015

Democratic National Committee deputy chairman and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison on Wednesday called it "an outrage" that President Donald Trump hasn't condemned the weekend bombing of a Minnesota mosque as a terrorist attack.

The explosion at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington happened early Saturday just before morning prayers and caused extensive damages to the imam's office but did not injure anyone. The FBI is investigating.

Ellison represents the Minneapolis area — though not the site of the explosion — and is the nation's first Muslim elected to Congress. He issued a statement through the national Democratic Party Wednesday joining the chorus of Muslim organizations and Democrats calling on Trump to label the bombing as a terrorist attack.

"The President's failure to condemn the terrorist attack on the Bloomington Islamic Center is an outrage. It suggests that his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, including the right to equal protection under the law, only extends to people who meet certain racial and religious criteria," Ellison said.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton visited the mosque Sunday and called the bombing a "wretched" terrorist act. Islamic leaders in Minnesota and nationwide have said they're waiting for the president to say something similar.

But Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka said during a Tuesday interview on MSNBC that the White House would withhold comment until the investigation is complete, suggesting that it may have been a hoax orchestrated "by the left."

Ellison also called on Trump to condemn Gorka's comments.

The Minneapolis FBI office has shared little information about its investigation, including whether it has identified any suspects. In a statement Monday afternoon, Special Agent in Charge Rick Thornton called it a "terrible crime" and vowed to focus every available resource on the case until it's solved.

The Dar Al-Farooq mosque primarily serves Somalis in the Minneapolis area. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community outside of east Africa with an estimated 57,000 people, according to the most recent census estimates.