Ilhan Omar is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2019. She is the first Somali-American, the first refugee, and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in the United States Congress.
Omar has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and its policies, and she has also been a target of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
In 2019, she was one of four Democratic congresswomen who were the subject of racist attacks by President Trump.
Omar's Early Life and Career
Omar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1982. Her family fled the country during the Somali Civil War and settled in a refugee camp in Kenya.
In 1995, Omar and her family were granted asylum in the United States and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Omar earned a bachelor's degree in political science from North Dakota State University and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.
She worked as a community organizer and policy aide before being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016.
Omar's Congressional Career
Omar was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen.
She is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Omar has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies and its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
She has also been a supporter of the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.
In 2019, Omar was one of four Democratic congresswomen who were the subject of racist attacks by President Trump.
Omar's Controversies
Omar has been a controversial figure since her election to Congress.
She has been criticized for her support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.
She has also been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks.
In 2019, Omar apologized for a tweet that was widely condemned as anti-Semitic.
Omar's Future
Omar is a rising star in the Democratic Party.
She is a strong advocate for progressive causes and she is not afraid to speak her mind.
She is likely to be a major player in the party for years to come.