Aaron Farrugia, the Maltese parliamentary secretary for EU funds, has offered his support to Somali-born US politician Ilhan Omar after Donald Trump’s supporters chanted “send her back” at a campaign rally.

“I met Ilhan Omar at a conference organised by Friends of Europe last year [and] we shared our thoughts on a number of international and domestic issues,” Farrugia tweeted. “She was humble, smart, clear minded. American people should be grateful to have her as one of their representatives.”

I met @IlhanMN at a conf organised by @FriendsofEurope @EYL40 last year. We shared our thoughts on a number of international/domestic issues. She was humble, smart, clear minded. #American people should be grateful to have her as one of their rep#IStandWithIlhanOmar @USAmbMalta pic.twitter.com/PS5zTvUUba

— Aaron Farrugia (@farrugiaaaron) July 19, 2019

Omar emigrated from Somalia with her family when she was 10 years old after fleeing the African country’s civil war and was later granted asylum status. She was elected as a Minnesota congresswoman in 2016, becoming the first Somali American legislator in the United States.

During a recent rally, Trump accused Omar and her fellow congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashia Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley – known as “The Squad” – of hating America. As he was speaking about Omar, his supporters started chanting ‘Send her back’.

The US President later condemned the chants, stating that “I was not happy with it. I disagree with it.”

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