Dalia Al-Aqidi Criticizes Ilhan Omar’s Silence: “CD5 Belongs to the People”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2026
Minneapolis, MN — When President Trump asked every member of Congress who puts American citizens first to stand up Tuesday night, Ilhan Omar remained seated. Dalia Al-Aqidi, Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, criticized Omar’s inaction and the state of Minneapolis under current leadership.
“Minnesota was once again the poster child for everything broken about immigration, accountability, and leadership in this country,” Al-Aqidi said. “A city once celebrated as one of the best places in America to live is now synonymous with fraud, corruption, and cover-up.”
Al-Aqidi, a legal immigrant, contrasted her experience with Omar’s, emphasizing that she came to America with nothing and built a life here. “I lived under Saddam Hussein’s regime,” she said. “I did not need Tuesday night to tell me who Ilhan Omar is. What is happening in Minneapolis looks very familiar to me.”
Al-Aqidi credited President Trump for highlighting corruption in Minneapolis and cited Omar’s unexplained $30 million net worth as evidence of self-dealing. “The people of this district deserve a real answer. Last night, she would not even stand up for them,” Al-Aqidi said.
“This seat does not belong to Ilhan Omar. It belongs to the people of CD5,” Al-Aqidi added. “November belongs to the citizens of the 5th District. Not to outside activists funded by elite billionaires, not to people with no right to vote here. We are taking this seat back.”
CD5 is ground zero for the fight to reclaim America’s cities, and a win here demonstrates the potential to do so nationwide.
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Download PDF: Dalia Al-Aqidi – Omar Won’t Stand for Americans. Al-Aqidi Will- Press Release 2026-02-25
About Dalia Al-Aqidi
Dalia Al-Aqidi is a Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. A legal immigrant who fled Iraq and built a distinguished career as a television journalist and anchor, including as a White House correspondent for Alhurra, the U.S.-sponsored satellite network broadcasting to 22 countries across the Middle East. She lives in Minneapolis and is running on her Opportunity First Agenda. More information about Dalia here.
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