Somalia's Defence Minister Fiqi defends US lawmaker Ilhan Omar's heritage amid Trump's attack

Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has defended US lawmaker Ilhan Omar's heritage, as well as Somalia's sovereignty and progress, following sharp criticism by US President Donald Trump.

President Trump made disparaging comments on Somalia, Ilhan Omar’s country of origin, amid US local political tensions over the killing of Charlie Kirk and a massive Medicaid-related fraud case in Minnesota, the constituency she represents.

 Ilhan Omar had criticised the views of right-wing political activist, Charlie Kirk, on gun ownership and racism in the US while Trump hailed him after his killing last week. Trump also attempted to link Omar to the unfolding corruption probe in Minnesota.

“Ilhan Omar’s country of Somalia is plagued by a lack of central government control, persistent poverty, hunger, resurgent terrorism, piracy, decades of civil war, corruption, and pervasive violence. 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty, and widespread food insecurity,” Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social network.

‘Ilhan brought honour’

Somalia has now hit back with Defence Minister Fiqi saying it is unacceptable to target Omar based on her Somali heritage, describing Trump’s comments as "blatant attempt to scapegoat" Omar by invoking her country of birth. He asserted that such rhetoric risks deepening divisions and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

“Rep. Ilhan Omar is an American elected official whose contributions and service should be assessed within the context of her work and principles—not her country of origin,” Fiqi said.

“Attacking her heritage is not only unjust but also inconsistent with the values of inclusion and equality that America stands for,” minister Fiqi said in a statement on Facebook on Sunday.