(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump issued harsh comments on Wednesday aimed at Rep. Ilhan Omar and Somali-born Americans, asserting that she should not serve in Congress and should be removed from the country. Speaking to reporters, he claimed: "These Somalians have taken billions of dollars out of our country. They have a representative, Ilhan Omar...she shouldn't be allowed to be a congresswoman...and she should be thrown the hell out of our country."

Trump went on to criticize Omar’s frequent references to constitutional principles, suggesting she "go back" to her country of origin to "figure out that constitution." He added that "They shouldn't even be allowed to be congresspeople because they don't represent the interests of our country."

He also directed insults toward Minnesota’s governor, stating: "You have an incompetent governor. You have a crooked governor. He's crooked as hell, but he's (also) incompetent."

The remarks followed earlier claims made during a Cabinet meeting, in which Trump said Somali-born residents "ripped off" Minnesota for substantial sums and "contribute nothing," concluding with: "I don't want them in our country."

Omar responded by condemning Trump’s behavior, saying his "obsession" with her and the Somali community is "creepy and unhealthy," adding: "I am not someone to be intimidated."

A prominent American Muslim civil rights organization broadly denounced Trump’s statements, describing them as “dangerous and openly racist rhetoric” directed at Omar and Somali-American communities. Meanwhile, according to general reports, Somalia’s prime minister dismissed Trump’s comments.

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