Clyburn Defends Ilhan Omar as “Incredible Young Lady” After Trump’s Anti‑Somali Attacks

Representative James Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Sunday publicly defended Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), praising her resilience after a series of recent attacks by former President Donald Trump targeting Omar and Somali communities in Minnesota.

Speaking with NBC News’s Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, Clyburn singled out Omar for her perseverance. “And so, when you looked at the Somalians out in Minnesota, Ilhan [Omar], she is one incredible young lady who has withstood a lot in her life. And I have been [defending] her and her Somalian brethren. And I do believe that’s what this country is all about,” he said.

He added that that spirit “is what made us a great country,” and urged Americans to continue the work “toward a more perfect union,” acknowledging the nation will never be flawless but must keep striving.

Trump’s Attacks

In recent weeks, Trump has used his Truth Social platform to criticize Somali immigrants, posting that “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota.” At a Cabinet meeting last Tuesday, he attacked Omar directly, calling her “garbage,” saying he did not want Somali immigrants in the United States and asserting that Somalia “stinks.”

Omar’s Response

Omar — who fled civil war in Somalia as a child and became a U.S. citizen 25 years ago — pushed back in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on The Lead. She said the president frequently resorts to “very bigoted, xenophobic, Islamophobic, racist rhetoric” to scapegoat and deflect attention from his administration’s shortcomings.

Omar also criticized the administration for failing to deliver on major promises, pointing to unmet commitments on lowering costs, the impact of tariffs on U.S. businesses, and allegations that the Defense Secretary may have committed possible war crimes.

Why This Matters

The exchange highlights growing tensions over immigration, race, and political rhetoric in the U.S., with prominent lawmakers debating both the substance and tone of public discourse. Clyburn’s defense frames Omar’s experience as part of a broader American story of resilience and inclusion, while critics point to the inflammatory language used by national leaders.