Rep. Ilhan Omar drew a hard line in the sand Thursday, asserting that the Somali community is protected by the Constitution and will not be moved by the incoming administration’s immigration crackdowns.
Speaking on “The Joy Reid Show,” the Minnesota Democrat dismissed President Trump’s recent rhetoric and enforcement actions as the work of a “bigoted fool.” Omar argued that the 14th Amendment shields the Somali population, emphasizing their permanency in the United States.
“I know that those of us that are Somali in this country see ourselves as Americans. That’s what our passport says, that’s what our nationality is,” Omar said. “And we know that we are protected by the 14th Amendment. We know that we are not going anywhere.”
The congresswoman’s comments come as federal immigration authorities intensify operations across Minneapolis and St. Paul. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have begun prioritizing the removal of Somali nationals with final deportation orders. The White House has justified the aggressive posture by citing national security concerns and allegations that funds from Minnesota’s welfare system were funneled to Al-Shabaab, a terror group in East Africa.
Tensions have been exacerbated by a massive fraud investigation in the state. Federal prosecutors are currently managing cases involving more than $1 billion in stolen taxpayer funds. The money, originally allocated for child nutrition programs and autism therapy services, was allegedly siphoned off in a sprawling scheme.
RELATED: Whistleblowers Target Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz For Retaliation Over Fraud To Terror Group
To date, prosecutors have secured 59 convictions related to the fraud. According to data cited by The New York Times, nearly all of the 86 individuals charged in the scandal are of Somali descent.
Proponents of the crackdown also point to recent high-profile violent crimes involving Somali nationals in the region to support stricter enforcement. These include the recent sentencing of Qalinle Ibrahim Dirie to 12 years in prison for the abduction and assault of a minor, and the pending case against Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, who faces charges related to kidnapping and sexual assault.
The situation has triggered a volatile political feud between the President and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Walz has condemned the ICE operations as a “PR stunt” designed to “indiscriminately target immigrants.” Conversely, state critics and the Trump administration argue Walz bears responsibility for the lack of oversight that allowed the welfare fraud to balloon.
The exchange turned personal on November 27, when President Trump used a slur on Truth Social to disparage Walz’s intelligence regarding his handling of state funds.
READ: ‘R-Word’ At The Doorstep: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Fears Violence After Trump’s Truth Social Jab
Despite the political firestorm, Omar challenged the President to meet with her directly.
“Maybe he needs to spend five minutes with me,” Omar said. “Because then he would know that as Somalis, we are never intimidated.”
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