One day after supporters of President Donald Trump chanted "send her back," Rep. Ilhan Omar was greeted on Thursday by dozens at a Minnesota airport with chants of "welcome home."
Omar returned to Minnesota on Thursday after concluding her workweek in Washington, D.C. The week included being one of the targets of racially-charged tweets from Trump. On Sunday, Trump said Omar and three other Democratic congresswomen should "go back" to their countries. Of the four Congresswomen, only Omar was born outside of the United States. She became a naturalized citizen as a teenager after fleeing Somalia as a child refugee.
The comments drew an official rebuke from Congressional Democrats, along with four Republicans and the lone independent in Congress.
With Omar back in Minnesota, she is holding a town hall forum in her district.
"It sure feels good to be home," Omar told the crowd. "They said 'send her back.' They didn't know I was already going back."
Omar addressed Trump directly.
"He is threatened because we are inspiring people to dream about a country that recognizes their dignity and their humanity. Because hope lies. Hope lies in the dreams of every immigrant who is able to achieve that American dream," she said.
Meanwhile in Washington on Thursday, Trump attempted to distance himself from some of his supporters. Trump told reporters that he tried to put a stop to the "send her back" chants.
"I was not happy with it. I disagree with it," Trump said. "I didn't say it. They said it."
"I started speaking very quickly," Trump added.
But video evidence showed that Trump waited 13 seconds before letting the chant die down.
Omar has been a notable, and sometimes controversial figure, in her short time in Congress. Just two months after being sworn in, Omar claimed the United States' support for Israel was fueled by AIPAC lobbyists. Those comments drew a rebuke from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and politicians from both parties.
Those comments have also been used as fuel by Trump and Omar's critics.
