Ilhan Omar Says Trump’s Words Fuel Threats After Minneapolis Incident

Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar accused former President Donald Trump of helping create a climate of hostility toward her, saying his repeated attacks have directly contributed to threats against her safety.

Omar spoke publicly a day after a man confronted her at an event in Minneapolis and sprayed her with an unidentified substance. Law enforcement officers arrested the suspect at the scene, and Omar said she was not physically harmed.

Sharp Response to Trump Remarks

Her comments followed statements by Trump earlier in the day in which he dismissed the incident and questioned its legitimacy, calling Omar a fraud and suggesting the encounter may have been staged.

Omar rejected those claims and raised concerns about the former president’s behavior. “Is he suffering from dementia?” she asked, referring to his remarks made before and after the confrontation.

She said that public attacks from Trump have consistently led to an increase in threats against her. “When I am singled out by the president, the number of death threats I receive explodes,” Omar said, adding that the situation was noticeably calmer during the Biden administration.

According to Omar, she currently faces more threats than any other sitting member of Congress.

Requests for comment from the White House were not immediately answered.

Immigration Crackdown Draws Statewide Pushback

The incident comes as federal immigration authorities intensify enforcement efforts in Minnesota. Trump administration officials have said the state is under scrutiny over alleged misuse of public assistance programs, claims that local leaders say unfairly target Somali communities.

Anger over federal tactics has grown in recent weeks, particularly after two fatal encounters involving immigration enforcement officers. Community leaders and lawmakers have demanded greater transparency and accountability.

Although Trump has publicly stated that federal agencies will reduce tensions in the state, officials have not detailed how enforcement practices will change.

State Rep. Aisha Gomez, who appeared alongside Omar, warned that Minnesotans would not be intimidated by aggressive federal actions. “You cannot arrest an entire community,” she said. “We are many, and we will stand our ground.”

Omar said she remains committed to continuing her work despite the risks, emphasizing that constitutional protections apply to all Americans, regardless of background or immigration status.