Campaign to keep Ilhan Omar’s secrets safe includes death threats

Key Points:

• Members of the Somali community are reluctant to speak about Rep. Ilhan Omar due to threats and fear of violence from a fiercely protective group targeting critics with online and physical attacks.
• One critic was assaulted both in Minneapolis and Kenya after speaking out, suffering a concussion and injuries, with the attack allegedly incited by a Somali TikTok star who threatened violence against dissenters.
• Local journalists and community members have faced intimidation and accusations of racism when reporting on or questioning Omar’s background, policies, or personal life, including allegations of a fraudulent marriage to her second husband.
• Some community members have received threatening calls demanding they recant criticism of Omar and publicly support her ahead of elections, with some fearing for their lives due to ongoing harassment and physical assaults.
• Omar is not linked to the threatening group and denies any wrongdoing related to her marriage, while her office has not commented on the intimidation reported by The Post.