Ilhan Omar says Trump is a ‘national embarrassment’ over marriage allegation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA: On Sunday, December 14, Rep. Ilhan Omar responded to recent remarks by President Donald Trump during an interview on WCCO – CBS Minnesota, calling his comments a “national embarrassment.”

Omar said Trump’s repeated attacks on her, including allegations about her marriage and citizenship, reflected poorly on the country and ignored widely established facts about her background.

She briefly outlined her journey to the United States, her path to citizenship, and her election to Congress while criticizing Trump for continuing to target her despite knowing the truth.

Ilhan Omar condemns Trump’s remarks

Omar addressed Trump’s public statements that revived long-debunked claims about her personal life and questioned her legitimacy as an elected official.

“Everybody knows I came to the United States at the age of 12, gained my citizenship at the age of 17,” Omar said during the interview.

She emphasized her role in public service and her standing as an elected lawmaker, adding, “I am an elected representative in the House of Representatives in Congress. And so, for me, I look at it as a display of his ignorance.”

Omar said Trump’s continued focus on her was troubling, especially given his awareness of the facts.

“I see it as a national embarrassment that he continues to say those kind of things, even though he does know what the truth is,” she said.

Her remarks came as federal immigration enforcement intensified in Minneapolis, particularly in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations. Minnesota is home to one of the largest Somali diaspora communities in the United States.”

Trump’s comments and Ilhan Omar’s DHS letter

Earlier in December, Trump used hostile language toward Somali immigrants during a Cabinet meeting, referring to them as “garbage” who “contribute nothing” to the United States.

“I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you, OK,” Trump said. “Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care. I don’t want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason.”

Trump then turned his attention to Omar, saying he “always watches her” and accusing her of hating others. He described her as incompetent and called her a “terrible person.” 

In response to recent immigration enforcement actions, Omar sent a letter on Friday to US Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Todd Lyons, the acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In the letter, Omar said witnesses had documented “blatant racial profiling” and “an egregious level of unnecessary force” by ICE agents during what authorities have referred to as Operation Metro Surge.

She also addressed Trump’s repeated focus on her personally, saying, “It’s really disturbing and creepy to have the president of the United States be obsessed with you and those who share your ethnicity,"