Ilhan Omar hits back at Trump: ‘You can’t Muslim ban us from Congress’

President had retweeted story about congresswoman facing challenge in Minnesota primary

Related video: Trump says Ilhan Omar should resign over Israel comments (EPA)

lhan Omar has hit back at Donald Trump following a tweet that suggested Minnesota Democrats were organising a challenge to the freshman congresswoman in next year's primaries.

Ms Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, took a swipe at the president’s controversial travel ban that has targeted predominantly Muslim countries by limiting travel into the US from those locations.

“I am sorry Mr [Trump]. I am for real, you can’t #MuslimBan us from Congress!” Ms Omar tweeted.

Mr Trump had retweeted an article that referenced efforts in Ms Omar’s home district to recruit a Democrat to challenge her in the upcoming primary, and followed weeks of controversy stemming from her attacks on the Israel lobby in Washington.

Ms Omar has been attacked for her comments on the issue, which has been interpreted by some as suggesting that politicians in Washington only support Israel because of money.

For her part, Ms Omar has apologised for that interpretation, but has remained critical of the Israel lobby and the influence of money in American politics.

She has also pushed back on the notion that being critical of Israel amounts to antisemitism.

Mr Trump’s travel ban was first introduced just days into his presidency, but was immediately challenged in the courts.

Since then, the president and the White House have introduced a more limited version of the ban. The Supreme Court upheld that ban last year.