Members of the Somali community are reportedly facing threats and violence when they speak out against U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. According to reporting from The Post, individuals who have voiced criticism or questioned Omar's background and policies have been subjected to online threats, verbal abuse, and physical assaults.
One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being attacked on the streets of Minneapolis and later in Kenya. This individual reported being jumped by 15 people and pepper-sprayed, suffering a concussion, cuts, and bruises in an incident in 2022. The source believes the attack was instigated by a popular Somali TikTok star who allegedly targeted the critic after sharing his location and calling him a “fool.”
This TikTok personality is reported to have encouraged followers to confront those critical of Omar. In separate videos, the TikTokker allegedly stated, “There are people in our community who have snitched on Ilhan Omar, as well as gone after her father. People have looked the other way for too long, you bitches.”
Journalists in Minnesota have also reportedly faced challenges reporting on Omar since her initial election to the state legislature in 2016. Sources told The Post that the community, described as notoriously protective, quickly accused critical reporting of racism, regardless of the subject matter, whether it concerned Omar's background, policies, or personal life.
One individual who received a phone call allegedly from a "leading member" of the Somali community in Minneapolis was pressured to recant any negative statements about Omar and issue public support for her ahead of the midterms. The source, who also requested anonymity, refused but expressed fear of being further “villainized.” The caller reportedly told the source, “I feel very threatened for simply disagreeing with anything to do with Ilhan Omar... I get death wishes every day, and I am afraid to leave my home.”
Another anonymous source reported being directly told, “you are going to be killed” and being labeled a “snake.” This individual recounted staying home for an entire week, fearing they might be “shot dead at any moment.”
Omar, who came to Minnesota as a refugee in 1995, has previously faced allegations of a fraudulent marriage to her second husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, for immigration purposes. She has vehemently denied these claims. Her office did not respond to requests for comment from The Post. None of the social media users engaging in threats are officially linked to Omar, and she is not accused of any wrongdoing in relation to these incidents.