MOUNT POCONO, Pennsylvania — In a rally marking the start of his campaign for the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump launched a blistering personal attack on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, calling for her to be deported and escalating his rhetoric against immigrants from countries he labeled "hellholes," particularly Somalia.
Speaking for over 90 minutes to a supportive crowd, President Trump targeted Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized U.S. citizen, with claims about her immigration status. "She married her brother to get in, so she's here illegally. Throw her the hell out," Trump stated, referencing a long-debunked conspiracy theory about Omar's past. He continued, "I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban... She comes from her country where, I mean it's considered to be the worst country in the world."
Widening the Attack to Somali and Other Migrants
The president's tirade extended beyond Omar to a broader condemnation of migrants from several nations. He specifically praised his administration's recent decision to suspend visa processing for multiple countries, naming "hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and many other countries."
This policy shift followed a tragic shooting incident in Washington, D.C., where a gunman attacked National Guard troops. Trump framed the pause as a necessary security measure and articulated a stringent vision for American immigration: "If you don't share our values, contribute to our economy, and assimilate into our society, then we don't want you in our country." In recent days, he has also derisively referred to Minnesota's Somali community as "garbage," linking them to an alleged fraud scandal in the state.
Political Context and Reaction
The rally in Pennsylvania was Trump's first major domestic campaign stop in nearly a year, signaling the official launch of his efforts to support Republican candidates in the upcoming midterms. The choice of themes—immigration, national identity, and direct attacks on political opponents like Omar—is seen as a return to core elements of his political brand.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a prominent progressive voice and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, has long been a target of such attacks. She has previously faced criticism and death threats over her faith and heritage. While the White House did not immediately issue a separate statement on the rally's content, the remarks are likely to deepen existing political divisions and spark renewed debate over immigration policy and political discourse in the United States.
*Source: Based on reporting from the Indian Express and Reuters.*
Comments
Post a Comment