A Democratic lawmaker said on Sunday that her son was pulled over by immigration agents, news that caused the internet to erupt with criticism toward the Trump administration.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) told local news station WCCO in the Twin Cities, a CBS affiliate station, that her son was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for speeding on Saturday and was asked to prove his citizenship. Her son was able to produce a passport identification, and was let go thereafter, Omar said in the interview.
Analysts and observers pointed out that the event happened after weeks of Trump's public attacks against the Somali-American community.
Omar's interview generated backlash towards the Trump administration online.
"This is targeted, tyrannical, and unacceptable and it's appalling for Congress to keep abdicating its responsibility and handing over power to a bunch of corrupt, bigoted autocratic thugs," writer and cultural critic Soraya Nadia McDonald posted on Bluesky.
"Given that they can run plates, this was potentially targeted," Harvard law professor Alejandra Caraballo posted on Bluesky. "This administration is completely out of control."
"Sickening world," Timothy McBride, law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, posted on Bluesky. "Rep. Omar is brilliant and I appreciate her leadership and wisdom so much."
"What Trump is doing to the Somali-American community is deplorable," journalist Marisa Kabas posted on Bluesky.
"This needs looking into," journalist Michael McGough posted on X.