WASHINGTON, Jan 28: US President Donald Trump has alleged that Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, known for wearing a hijab, orchestrated an incident during her town hall meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event took place on Tuesday night when a man sprayed her with an unknown substance.
Trump, in an interview with ABC News, stated, “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” but provided no evidence to support his claim.
When questioned whether he had watched footage of the incident, the president replied, “I haven’t seen it. No, no. I hope I don’t have to bother.”
The town hall, which was live-streamed, depicted the suspect standing and shouting at Ms. Omar, a Democrat, who was advocating for the resignation or impeachment of US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after two fatal shootings involved immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis. The man was restrained and arrested after the attack on Ms. Omar.
Following the incident, Ms. Omar continued with the event, asserting, “(They) are not going to get away with it.”
In further remarks after the meeting, she said, “I’ve survived war and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation or whatever these people think they can throw at me, because I’m built that way.”
Later on Tuesday, the Minnesota Democrat posted on the social platform X, “I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work.”
She added, “I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.”
Trump has often directed xenophobic attacks at Ms. Omar, the only Somali American serving in Congress. Just hours before the incident, he criticized her in a speech in Iowa, saying, “She comes from a country that’s a disaster. It’s considered, I think, the worst [country]. It’s not even a country.”
