Challenges in the Life of Ilhan Omar in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Ilhan Omar's life and career.

Ilhan Omar is a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district, serving since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. Her district encompasses Minneapolis and its inner suburbs. As a politician, she is known for her progressive stances and activism. She is one of the first Somali-American members of Congress, contributing to the diversity of representation in the United States government.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 4, 2014: Attack during DFL caucus

On February 4, 2014, Ilhan Omar was attacked and wounded by multiple attendees during a DFL caucus for Minnesota's House of Representatives District 60B. She was organizing the event and sustained a concussion, requiring hospitalization.

February 2014: Attack at Precinct Caucus

In February 2014, Ilhan Omar was attacked and injured at a contentious precinct caucus.

2018: Target of online hate speech

In 2018, Ilhan Omar was the prime target of online hate speech, with roughly half of the 90,000 tweets mentioning her including hate speech or Islamophobic or anti-immigrant language, according to a Social Science Research Council study.

2018: Campaign Finance Violation Accusations

In 2018, Republican state representative Steve Drazkowski publicly accused Ilhan Omar of campaign finance violations.

February 2019: Arrest of Christopher Paul Hasson

In February 2019, the FBI arrested United States Coast Guard Lieutenant Christopher Paul Hasson, who allegedly plotted to assassinate various journalists and political figures, including Ilhan Omar. Hasson was described as a "long time White Nationalist" and former skinhead.

April 7, 2019: Arrest of Patrick Carlineo Jr. for threatening Omar

On April 7, 2019, Patrick Carlineo Jr. was arrested for threatening to assault and murder Ilhan Omar in a phone call to her office. He reportedly told investigators that he did not want Muslims in the government.

April 11, 2019: New York Post front page controversy

On April 11, 2019, the New York Post's front page featured an image of the World Trade Center burning and a quotation from Ilhan Omar's speech about 9/11, leading to controversy. The headline read, "REP. ILHAN OMAR: 9/11 WAS 'SOME PEOPLE DID SOMETHING'", though Omar's full speech contextualized the quote within the context of civil liberties for Muslims in the U.S.

April 2019: Increased death threats after Trump comments

In April 2019, Ilhan Omar reported receiving more death threats after President Trump made comments about her and 9/11, with "many directly referencing or replying to the president's video".

May 2019: Carlineo released from custody

In May 2019, Patrick Carlineo Jr., who was arrested for threatening Ilhan Omar, was released from custody and placed on house arrest.

June 2019: Campaign Finance Ruling

In June 2019, Minnesota campaign finance officials ruled that Ilhan Omar had to pay back $3,500 for out-of-state travel and tax filing violations, plus a $500 fine.

July 14, 2019: Trump's tweet about 'The Squad'

On July 14, 2019, President Trump tweeted that The Squad—a group including Ilhan Omar—should "go back" to the "places from which they came". In response, Omar accused Trump of "stoking white nationalism".

July 2019: Press conference by The Squad

Following President Trump's July 2019 tweet that The Squad should "go back" to the "places from which they came", Ilhan Omar and the other members of the Squad held a press conference that was taped by CNN and posted to social media.

August 2019: Publication of anonymous threat

In August 2019, Ilhan Omar published an anonymous threat she had received of being shot at the Minnesota State Fair, stating that such threats were the reason for her security protection.

September 2019: Assertion of danger from Trump's retweet

In September 2019, Ilhan Omar asserted that President Trump was putting her life in danger by retweeting a tweet falsely claiming she had "partied on the anniversary of 9/11".

November 2019: Danielle Stella banned from Twitter for suggesting Omar's execution

In November 2019, Danielle Stella, Ilhan Omar's Republican opponent for Congress, was banned from Twitter for suggesting that Omar be hanged for treason if found guilty of passing information to Iran.

December 2019: George Buck suggests Omar's execution

In December 2019, George Buck, another Republican running for Congress, also suggested that Ilhan Omar be hanged for treason. In response, Buck was removed from the National Republican Congressional Committee's Young Guns program.

November 2021: Controversy with Lauren Boebert

In November 2021, Republican Representative Lauren Boebert claimed she shared an elevator with Ilhan Omar and mistook her for a terrorist, referring to her as the "Jihad Squad". Omar denied the incident and called Boebert's comments "anti-Muslim bigotry".

2021: Reaction to Capitol Attack

In 2021, following the United States Capitol attack, Ilhan Omar spoke about the traumatizing experience and its impact on democracy.

February 2023: Removal from Foreign Affairs Committee

In February 2023, the Republican-controlled House voted to remove Ilhan Omar from her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, citing past comments about Israel and concerns over her objectivity.