In a sharp rebuke, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has labelled former President Donald Trump's sustained focus on her and the Somali-American community as "creepy and unhealthy." This strong reaction came after Trump made disparaging remarks about Somali immigrants during a White House cabinet meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2025.
Trump's Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
During the meeting, President Trump stated he did not want Somali immigrants in the United States. He argued that people from the war-torn East African nation were overly dependent on American social welfare programs and contributed little to the country. These comments are part of a long-standing pattern of criticism Trump has directed at Rep. Omar, who came to the US from Somalia as a child refugee in 1995.
Somalis have been arriving in states like Minnesota, often as refugees, since the 1990s, building significant communities. Omar, who represents Minnesota in the US House of Representatives, has frequently been a target for Trump, who has questioned her background and loyalty.
Omar's Fiery Response and Community Stand
Omar did not hold back in her response to the latest attack. She characterized Trump's fixation as an obsession, defending not just herself but the entire Somali diaspora in America. Her statement underscored a message of resilience and belonging directed at her community.
"Know that we're..." Omar asserted, signaling a stance of defiance and solidarity. Her response highlights the personal and political tensions that continue to define this rivalry, turning immigration and national identity into central battlegrounds.
Wider Implications and Political Fallout
This exchange is more than a war of words; it reflects deeper divisions in American politics over immigration, race, and representation. Trump's comments, dismissing an entire national group, are likely to energize his base while drawing condemnation from immigrant rights advocates and Democrats.
For the Somali community in Minnesota and across the US, such high-profile attacks from a former president can intensify feelings of being under siege. Conversely, Omar's vocal defence positions her as a prominent figure standing against xenophobic rhetoric. The incident ensures that the debate over America's refugee and immigration policies will remain fiercely contested as the political landscape evolves.
