Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is sharply condemning President Donald Trump after he launched a new round of attacks on her and Minnesota’s Somali community, calling them “garbage” and saying, “I don’t want them in our country.”
The comments, made during a political event this week, triggered swift backlash from Democratic leaders, immigrant advocates, and Omar herself, who says Trump is using racist fearmongering to distract from his own political and legal troubles.
In an interview with MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera Reports, Omar did not mince words.
“The President’s obsession with me and the Somali community is really unhealthy,” she said. “It’s creepy. And I hope that he gets the help that he needs.”
Omar argued Trump’s remarks reflect a familiar political playbook: turn vulnerable communities into targets when facing pressure.
“It sounds like he is trying to deflect from the failures that he’s had,” she said, pointing to what she described as stalled immigration goals, ineffective tariffs, and multiple investigations that continue to shadow Trump’s post-presidency.
The congresswoman also referenced growing scrutiny over U.S. strikes on small boats in the Caribbean, which international human rights attorneys claim may constitute extrajudicial killings.
“Right now he is being investigated for war crimes,” Omar said, adding that Trump’s escalating rhetoric should be seen through the lens of political distraction.
Trump’s remarks—“Omar is garbage… her friends are garbage”—echo the racially charged attacks he has repeatedly directed at Omar and other women of color in Congress. Minnesota’s Somali community, one of the largest in the United States, has been the frequent target of Trump’s campaign speeches dating back to 2016.
Community leaders say the former president’s words have real-world consequences. Advocates report spikes in harassment, online threats, and anti-immigrant rhetoric whenever Trump singles out Somali Americans.
Omar, however, said Minnesotans know what’s happening. “We’re resilient,” she said. “We know fear tactics when we see them.”
While Republicans have largely avoided commenting on Trump’s latest remarks, Democrats say the rhetoric is not merely offensive—it’s dangerous. They argue it seeks to dehumanize entire communities at a moment of rising political violence and extremist mobilization.
For Somali families in Minnesota, Omar said, the message is simple: “You belong. This is your home.”
