Trump Says Ilhan Omar's Use of 'Fake Name' Means She Should Resign
The former president suggested that the congresswoman's legal issues could force her out of her seat.
President Donald Trump asserted Thursday that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) should resign from Congress if it is confirmed that she used a "fake name" when she was sworn in. "It's not looking good," Trump said of Omar's legal situation following recent court filings.
During a rally in Iowa, Trump stated, "She used a fake name to be sworn in. I assume she must immediately have to resign from Congress." He urged attendees to inform the Speaker of the House that Omar's seat "has just been conceded" due to what he described as an admission of fraud. "She won't be able," Trump added, "I mean, I don't know: If you get sworn in with a false name, I would imagine that's pretty tough to remain."
Prosecutors referred to the Minnesota Democrat as "Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar," in a filing in federal court. A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that Omar is not the congresswoman's "real" last name, indicating she was born with the surname Elmi. Representatives for Omar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump also commented on Omar's response when asked if her ex-husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, might be a blood relative. "Not to my knowledge," Omar replied in a recent interview. Trump characterized this as "one of the worst answers I think I've ever heard," suggesting Omar "didn't know whether or not she married her brother."
The former president, a frequent critic of Omar, called her a "scammer" and suggested she could face jail time if convicted of immigration fraud, referencing past discussions of deportation.
Omar has maintained that she became a U.S. citizen at age 17 through her father, who naturalized in 2000. She has denied any wrongdoing.
In other news from the rally, Trump announced plans to use the Defense Production Act to release $150 million to increase domestic diesel and gasoline production. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the funds will be used to bolster existing energy infrastructure and restore energy addition policies to "unleash American energy dominance and lower costs for the American people."