Ron DeSantis calls out Ilhan Omar over Minnesota Somali racket: ‘It’s a big scandal’

Ron DeSantis criticized Ilhan Omar, claiming she misuses US freedoms, as federal authorities plan an immigration operation in Minnesota
Ron DeSantis said Ilhan Omar fled a 'terrible country' but now uses American freedoms to push changes he claims make the US resemble the place she left (Getty Images)
Ron DeSantis said Ilhan Omar fled a 'terrible country' but now uses American freedoms to push changes he claims make the US resemble the place she left (Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not hold back when calling out Ilhan Omar. He went off during an interview and openly criticized Omar, hinting at her when he said there is “somebody” who fled a “terrible country.”

He pushed it further, saying, “She comes to the United States and uses our freedoms to try to make us more like the country she fled.” Meanwhile, federal authorities are preparing for a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota. 

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) looks on during a news conference on reintroducing the Neighbors Not Enemies Act on Capitol Hill on January 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Neighbors Not Enemies Act seeks to repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which grants the President of the United States sweeping wartime powers to detain or deport immigrants from enemy nations without due process. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Rep Ilhan Omar looks on during a news conference on reintroducing the Neighbors Not Enemies Act on Capitol Hill on January 22, 2025, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The plan primarily focuses on Somali immigrants who are living in the United States unlawfully.

Ron DeSantis calls out Ilhan Omar for Minnesota’s Somali racket 

"It's a big scandal, but I'll tell you, and I'm watching the clip of Villan Omar, you know, this is somebody that fled this, you know, terrible country, no rights. And then she comes to the United States and uses our freedoms to try to make us more like the country," he said.

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The self-labeled
Ron DeSantis speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on June 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

"She fled how the hell does that make any sense. And why did we over many decades as a government? Obviously, you know, not me or current Trump Administration. But what had happened to bring in so many people who really don't necessarily want to assimilate?"

"And I think some of these candidates who run there talk about. They're not America first, but Somali first, so it's really a failure of the elites in this country with how they've handled immigration, particularly by putting Americans last. Well, they say it's racist if you say that all these Somalis stole a billion. Yeah, oh, that the race card is what they're trying to do to evade accountability, you know?"

"They'll say you're racist if you question why some of these folks have no interest in assimilating into American society. I think people, particularly on the Republican side and the conservative side."

"I think we're beyond where they can just sling the race card out, and people should be scared of that," he concluded. 

Trump’s comments on Somali immigrants fuel rising tensions in Minnesota

U.S. President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, one of the largest manufacturers of semiconductor chips, plans to invest $100 billion in new manufacturing facilities in the United States. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 3, 2025 in Washington, DC ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The timing comes as Donald Trump intensifies his focus on Minnesota’s Somali community. An immigration push centered on Somali migrants is almost certain to raise tensions in the state. Trump has zeroed in on people of Somalian descent living in the United States. 

He recently claimed they “have caused a lot of trouble.” Community leaders say that remark has sparked fear.

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