There is a growing demand for the House to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) from her position following comments she made during an event in her home state last week.
In her speech, she stated that she is actively advocating for Somalia, the country of her birth, where she resided for a period before coming to the United States and eventually being elected to Congress.
The Daily Wire reported that on Sunday, a three-minute video clip featuring Omar went viral. It seems to have been translated by individuals who assert themselves as officials from Somaliland, a self-proclaimed independent region within Somalia. Somaliland has claimed sovereignty for decades, but it lacks international recognition as an independent nation.
Omar delivered her comments on Saturday at an event hosted at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. This gathering was organized to commemorate the recent re-election of Said Abdullahi Deni as the President of the Puntland State of Somalia.
According to a professional translation of Omar’s remarks acquired by The Daily Wire from an international translation service, Omar referred to the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland: “A few days ago, we heard the news about some people claiming to be Somalis getting into an agreement with Ethiopia.”
She noted further, per the outlet:
I got calls from a lot of people saying, “Ilhan, you need to talk to the U.S. government; what is the government of the U.S. doing?’”My answer to their question was that the U.S. government would do what we tell them to do about it.
We need to be confident in ourselves. We live in this country; it is the country that we pay taxes to, and it is the country that one of your daughters is in. As long as I am in the U.S. Congress, no one will take away the Somali sea or water. And I will not support the U.S. government in supporting other people to rob us.
Rest assured that it will not happen, Minnesota. The lady that you sent to Congress knows about you, and she feels your interest like you all do.
“I want to congratulate the Somalis in Minnesota and the Somalis everywhere on how you all are united and how you all supported our President, who needs our support,” she said, per the outlet. “Somalia is Somalia, and Somalis are all one; we are all brothers and sisters. No one can divide our land; we are missing land, and we will search for it soon. No one will divide whatever land that we have now.”
“For as long as I am in the U.S. Congress, Somalia will never be in danger. Its waters will not be stolen by Ethiopia or others … Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the U.S. system.”
Several Republicans ripped Omar and called on Congress to expel her.
“Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport!” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Listen to it all,” added Donald Trump Jr. “It’s not hyperbole when we say our representatives are putting America last.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) added: “Ilhan Omar’s appalling, Somalia-first comments are a slap in the face to the Minnesotans she was elected to serve and a direct violation of her oath of office. She should resign in disgrace.”
