Nation's first Somali-American rep threatened and called 'ISIS' by cab driver after pick up at White House

The nation’s first elected Somali-American lawmaker Wednesday said she was the target of the “most hateful, derogatory, islamophobic, sexist taunts and threats” she’s ever experiecened when a cab driver transporting her from the White House to her hotel called her ISIS and threatened to remove her hijab.

In a Facebook post, Ilhan Omar—who became the state representative-elect from Minneapolis, MN and the nation’s first Somali-American representative in November—said she was on her way to her hotel from a policy training meeting at the White House when the verbal assault took place.

“I spent yesterday afternoon at the White House, learning about policy ideas states could implement in the areas I am passionate about,” Omar wrote. “On my way to our hotel, I got in a cab and became subjected to the most hateful, derogatory, islamophobic, sexist taunts and threats I have ever experienced.

“The cab driver called me ISIS and threatened to remove my hijab, I wasn't really sure how this encounter would end as I attempted to rush out of his cab and retrieve my belongs,” she continued, adding she is “still shaken by this incident and can't wrap my head around how bold being are becoming in displaying their hate towards Muslims.”

“I pray for his humanity and for all those who harbor hate in their hearts,” Omar concluded.

Omar told concerned supporters she plans to report the incident once she’s “back home safe in Minneapolis.”

“He knows the hotel I am staying at and [I] don't feel safe enough to say anything at the moment,” the state representative-elect added.

Omar’s representative Akhilesh Megawatt told the Star Tribune the rep plans to remains engaged with her work while in Washington. "She wants to focus her time in D.C. attending the trainings, conferences and meetings she has scheduled over the next few days," Menawat said.

Read Omar’s post below, via Facebook: