President Donald Trump has escalated his long-running feud with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), demanding she be jailed or deported to Somalia for her alleged involvement in fraud schemes linked to the Somali-American community. In a series of statements on January 22, 2026, Trump accused Omar of being a “total crook” and complicit in billions of dollars in welfare and Medicaid fraud uncovered in Minnesota investigations. “She should be removed from Congress and sent back to Somalia—or locked up,” he declared, tying her to the ongoing probes that have charged nearly 100 individuals, many of Somali descent.
The remarks come as the Trump administration has surged 2,000 DHS agents to the Twin Cities to target fraud networks, revoked Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Somalis, and explored denaturalization for convicted fraudsters. Trump has repeatedly singled out Omar, a naturalized citizen who arrived in the U.S. as a refugee, claiming her criticism of his policies and support for progressive causes make her disloyal. Supporters applaud the rhetoric as accountability for alleged abuse of public resources, arguing her influence has shielded fraudulent activity in her district.
Omar sharply denounced the comments as “racist and Islamophobic,” calling them an attack on her citizenship and free speech. Civil rights groups condemned the statements as dangerous, warning they incite threats against Muslim and immigrant communities. Legal experts note that deportation of a naturalized citizen requires proof of fraud during the naturalization process, a high bar not met by current public evidence. Omar has not been charged in the fraud cases.
The controversy highlights the administration’s hardline stance on immigration and fraud, using high-profile figures to underscore enforcement priorities. As investigations deepen, Omar’s future—and the broader debate over citizenship and loyalty—remains a flashpoint in America’s polarized landscape.
