WASHINGTON – President Trump has criticized Representative Ilhan Omar, referring to her as a “terrible person” for her comments about a significant fraud case impacting her hometown. He specifically cited the $1 billion fraud scandal involving “Feeding Our Future,” a program in Minnesota.
During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump voiced his views on Omar, stating, “I’ve been watching her for years… She complains about our Constitution and her treatment.” He went on to imply that she harbors animosity towards various groups, expressing that he believes she is incompetent and fundamentally a bad person.
This harsh criticism coincides with the president’s condemnation of the significant fraud case that has affected Minnesota, suggesting that many of those involved were Somali immigrants. Trump voiced a clear stance against their presence in the U.S., saying, “They’re not contributing anything. We don’t want them in our country.” He added that there’s a reason why conditions are poor in their home country, which he characterizes negatively.
“If we continue to bring trash into our country, we’re going in the wrong direction. Ilhan Omar is trash. Her friends are trash,” he declared emphatically. He elaborated that individuals who come from difficult backgrounds but do not contribute positively are unwelcome.
Omar, a Somali-American and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, responded to Trump’s comments by calling his fixation on her “creepy” and suggesting he might need help.
Despite their intense disagreements, she has previously stood by criticism directed at Trump, defending him when a European diplomat made disparaging remarks about him during a meeting.
Trump’s remarks arise amid increasing focus on a serious fraud investigation linked to Minnesota, noted for its robust social safety programs. Recently, the Department of Justice revealed charges against individuals in what is being called the “Feeding Our Future” scheme; so far, at least 59 individuals have been convicted.
The scandal’s details point to a nonprofit accused of misusing state funds for services it reportedly never provided. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has also condemned the situation, while Trump criticized him as “completely incompetent.”
