WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) leaves a House Democratic caucus meeting at the Capitol on September 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Republicans and Democrats as well as the White House are working to stave off a federal government shutdown before the September 30 deadline. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Omar defends introducing ‘MEALS Act’ during COVID-19 amid massive ongoing fraud schemes tied to Minnesota’s Somali community

Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar asserted that she has no regrets about introducing the MEALS Act in 2020, arguing that the legislation did in fact help feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite widespread fraud and arrests resulting from the pandemic era’s $250 million “Feeding Our Future” fraud scheme.

Read More Rep. Omar defends introducing ‘MEALS Act’ during COVID-19 amid massive ongoing fraud schemes tied to Minnesota’s Somali community
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 13: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks during a news conference calling for a ceasefire in Gaza outside the U.S. Capitol building on November 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Democrats held the news conference alongside rabbis with the activist group Jewish Voices for Peace. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rep. Omar deflects questions on widespread Minnesota fraud tied to Somali community, blames lack of ‘Guardrails’ rather than cultural factors

During an appearance on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota’s 5th District faced a slew of questions about widespread fraud within her state’s Somali community. The interview aired one day after the Small Business Administration launched an investigation into a “network of Somali organizations” linked to the schemes.

Read More Rep. Omar deflects questions on widespread Minnesota fraud tied to Somali community, blames lack of ‘Guardrails’ rather than cultural factors