As President Donald Trump escalates his rhetoric against Somali migration and vows to “terminate TPS for Somalis in Minnesota,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has become the focal point of a heated national controversy. Critics accuse her of fearmongering. Supporters say she’s warning of very real dangers. But in the haze of viral clips and partisan claims, what Omar actually said—and didn’t say—deserves clear, accurate context.

Based on her public remarks from November 1–28, 2025, the congresswoman is indeed issuing forceful, defiant responses, sharply criticizing Trump’s policies, and sounding alarms about rising threats against her community. But some of the viral paraphrases circulating—like “Somalis are not going anywhere” or claims that she “warned Trump that agents will have to get through her first”—do not match her verified statements.

Here’s what she has said, what she hasn’t said, and how the narrative morphed.

1. Omar’s Core Message: She Isn’t Going Anywhere — Not a Community-Wide Warning

A widely shared quote—“Somalis are not going anywhere”—has been attributed to Omar in many online posts. She never used that exact phrase in any verified speech or post in November.

What she did say on November 2, in a viral X post addressed to Trump, was:

“I’m not going anywhere.”

This line referred to herself, not to Somali-Americans as a whole. It was a personal declaration of resolve after Trump told her to “go back” and suggested she should be deported.

At a November 24 rally in St. Paul, Omar then extended this to her district more broadly:

“None of Trump’s lawless threats will ever change that.
An attack on one is an attack on all.”

This is the closest to the sentiment people are paraphrasing—but it was framed as a collective defense, not a direct threat or warning to Trump or ICE.

2. Omar Did Not Say “They’ll Have to Get Through Me” — But She Did Position Herself as a Shield

Another viral paraphrase suggests Omar threatened federal authorities by declaring Trump and ICE would “have to get through her first.”

There is no record of her using this phrasing.

What did happen:

At the November 24 rally, she vowed to stand with Somali-Americans targeted by Trump’s proposals.

She framed herself as a defender of her district, saying “we see you, and we stand with you.”

She emphasized legal limits on Trump’s authority:

“Even little kids in eighth grade know he does not have that power.”

This may have been spun on partisan social media into a more confrontational “through me first” narrative. But Omar did not use those words.

3. Omar Has Raised Security Concerns — But Has Not Said “Trump Supporters Will Come for Me”

Omar has a long public record of receiving high-volume death threats—especially after Trump targets her by name.

In November 2025:

Her office reported a spike in threats after Trump’s TPS announcement.

She said the rhetoric creates an atmosphere where “people act on it.”

She said the danger is “scary for my community.”

She has discussed reviewing her security needs.

But she did not explicitly claim:

that “Trump supporters will come for her,” or

that she is “terrified for her life.”

Those interpretations have been applied to her comments—but not spoken by her.

4. Omar’s Actual Policy Message: Abolish ICE, Challenge TPS Termination, Reject Collective Blame

Across multiple posts (Nov. 11, 12, 19):

Omar’s consistent policy stance:

ICE is “out of control.”

“Cruel and barbaric. There’s no reforming this. Abolish ICE.”

Fraud cases can’t justify punishing an entire community.

“We do not blame the lawlessness of an individual on a whole community.”

Trump’s TPS threats are unlawful because the president cannot unilaterally terminate TPS for a single state.

Somali-Americans are citizens, not deportable political pawns.

“Somalis are an integral part of our state.”

This frames her rhetoric as legal, communal, and political—not as a personal dare or standoff with federal agents.

5. Where the Misquotes Came From: Online Amplification, Out-of-Context Clips, and Partisan Spin

Several partisan X accounts summarized Omar’s rally comments using hyperbolic, paraphrased language—often adding:

“She warned ICE they’ll have to get through her.”

“She said Somalis are not going anywhere.”

“She claims she’ll be hunted by Trump supporters.”

None of these appear in the verified transcripts, videos, or X posts from her official account between Nov. 1 and Nov. 28.

However:

Her tone has been fiery.

Her language evokes protection and defiance.

Her community has voiced real fear.

Her staff confirmed increased threats post-Trump’s posts.

Those realities make the paraphrases feel believable, even if they aren’t literal.

6. The Bottom Line: Omar Is Sounding an Alarm — But Not the One People Claim

Her verified November statements amount to this:

Trump’s rhetoric is legally incorrect and socially dangerous.

Somali-Americans (mostly citizens) should not fear mass deportation.

She believes the president’s language puts communities at risk.

She personally is not leaving office, Minnesota, or the country.

She is pushing for legal, legislative, and community organizing responses.

Missing:

Threats to Trump.

Personal ultimatums.

“Get through me first” standoffs.

A literal “my life is in danger from Trump supporters” statement.

Present:

Fear for her community.

Defiance toward Trump politically.

Security concerns tied to increased threats.

Advocacy for immigrant rights using blunt rhetoric.

In short:
Omar’s message is hard-edged but not hostile, alarmed but not panicked, combative politically but not personally.

And as with most Omar–Trump clashes, both sides are using the conflict to galvanize their bases.