MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — On Thursday, the Minnesota congresswoman targeted by President Trump’s racist rant says it feels good to be home. Some of the president’s supporters may want Representative Ilhan Omar to go back to Somalia, but tonight, many of her constituents stood by her amid a week of political attacks.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar arrived back in Minnesota to an enthusiastic welcome home. She appeared unphased and unbowed by the political firestorm she is at the center of.
Omar arrived back in Minnesota to a throng of supporters chanting a rebuke to the call of “send her back” that happened during Trump’s Wednesday night rally in North Carolina. Thursday night at the airport the crowd chanted “welcome home Ilhan.”
At the airport, the congresswoman addressed Trump’s taunts.
“The reality is he is threatened because we are inspiring people to dream about a country that recognizes their dignity and their humanity,” Omar said.
Earlier today Trump said he didn’t support the “send her back” chants.
“I was not happy with it. I disagree with it. But again, I didn’t say that– they did,” he said.
But in the lines waiting to get into the town hall there was sharp criticism of Trump.
“I care that she knows that she has the support of her community against these attacks,” Omar supporter Irna Landrum said.
Linda Hartmann, another Omar supporter, said, “I think it’s shameful this President of the United States is a racist. You can put it any way you want it, but he is a racist.”
The congresswoman received a prolonged standing ovation at a long-scheduled town hall in Minneapolis. She addressed the controversy only briefly.
“I know there are a lot of people who are trying to distract us, but I want you all to know that we are not going to let them,” Omar said.
And while the Omar kept the focus on the planned topic of ‘Medicare For All,’ at moments the forum was a tribute to this congresswoman under fire.
“We are so grateful for all the amazing things you do in Congress and we stand with you,” Rose Roach is the executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
Tonight at the town hall, Omar kept to her goal of not letting the President distract from her focus– which was on ‘Medicare For All,’ an issue she is passionate about.
The supporters we spoke with say they believe her ongoing war of words with President Trump has only elevated her national profile, as well as her influence as a member of Congress.
