Ilhan Omar Tries To Argue That Somalis Are Also Victims In Massive Welfare Fraud Scheme

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) sparked fresh controversy Sunday when she attempted to frame Minnesota’s Somali community as victims in the state’s massive welfare fraud scandal that has siphoned off at least $1 billion in taxpayer money—much of it allegedly tied to fraudulent Somali-run organizations.

Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, Omar was asked how the fraud grew so out of control. Instead of addressing direct accountability, Omar deflected blame and portrayed Somalis as collateral damage.

“I want to say this also has an impact on Somalis, because we are also taxpayers in Minnesota,” Omar said. “We also could have benefited from the program and the money that was stolen. So it’s been really frustrating for people to not acknowledge the fact that we’re also, as Minnesotans, as taxpayers, really upset and angry about the fraud that has occurred.”

Billions Lost, Ties to Terror Groups

The explosive fraud scandal has rocked Minnesota, with reports indicating over a billion dollars in stolen aid money—much of it pandemic relief—was funneled through sham charities and fraudulent food programs. According to City Journal, the schemes were largely concentrated within networks tied to the Somali community in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Some of the funds, according to investigators, were allegedly sent overseas and funneled to the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Despite the scale of the operation, Omar has faced criticism for attempting to shift the narrative toward victimhood rather than accountability.

Past Ties to Fraud Figures

Ilhan Omar’s own connections to individuals involved in the scandal have come under increased scrutiny. According to the New York Post, Omar previously held private events at one of the restaurants named in the fraud case and had a personal connection to its owner—who is now convicted of stealing millions in taxpayer money.

Additionally, one of Omar’s own staffers has been convicted of a similar fraud scheme, and she introduced the 2020 MEALS Act, a bill now linked to $250 million in stolen food aid money.

Fearmongering Over Trump’s Comments

Rather than condemning the fraud outright, Omar turned her attention to President Donald Trump—accusing him of inciting potential violence by calling out the scandal.

“There is a possible danger that a lot of the people who follow the president have exhibited violence in many cases, especially in my case,” she claimed on CNN. “There is fear for Somalis, not just in Minnesota, but across the country.”

Trump had previously called the scandal “one of the greatest thefts of taxpayer money in U.S. history,” urging state and federal prosecutors to broaden the investigation and hold all involved parties accountable.

Homeland Security Advisor: “Greatest Theft in American History”

Stephen Miller, President Trump’s Homeland Security Advisor, told Fox News the scandal could be even bigger than initially thought.

“We believe that the Somali fraud operation in Minnesota is the single greatest theft of taxpayer dollars, through welfare fraud, in American history,” Miller said. “We believe we have only scratched the very top of the surface of how deep this goes.”

He detailed shocking scams involving fake autism claims, bogus food distribution operations, and the use of shell companies to siphon money back to Somalia.

“The total bill is going to be far beyond what’s being reported,” Miller added, accusing state officials of being “fully complicit” in turning a blind eye to the fraud for years.

Omar Deflects, Points Fingers at Other Democrats

Instead of acknowledging any responsibility or scrutinizing her own associations, Omar attempted to blame other Democrat leaders in Minnesota.

“That is what I alluded to in my letter to the Secretary of AG,” she said. “How can this amount of money disappear fraudulently without there being alarms set off?”

But critics argue that the alarms were ignored—because those who should’ve been ringing them were either connected to or politically protected by the Democratic establishment in Minnesota.

As the scandal widens, investigations are expected to intensify. More indictments are anticipated as federal and state officials dig deeper into what may be one of the largest welfare fraud schemes in American history. And questions continue to mount about Omar’s role—whether by silence, negligence, or influence.