Calls are mounting for Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) to face expulsion following the release of a controversial video in which she allegedly suggests her allegiance is with her homeland of Somalia and that the United States government will “follow orders” and “do what I tell them to do.”
The controversial comments appeared in a video posted to YouTube and circulated on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The video is captioned by an outside source and those translations have not been verified.
“The US government will only do what Somalians in the US tell them to do,” Omar says according to the video. “They will do what we want and nothing else.”
“They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia,” she reportedly adds. “We Somalians must have the confidence in ourselves that we call the shots in the US.”
Omar denies the translation of her words is correct, though she has made little effort to vociferously deny the basic message that has been presented.
Shocking video of @IlhanMN saying she’s making US Government take orders from Somalia:
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 28, 2024
“The US government will only do what Somalians in the US tell them to do. They will do what we want and nothing else. They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest… pic.twitter.com/qIgIbufHTK
Omar Facing Calls For Expulsion
In addition to apparently suggesting that the United States government would conduct foreign policy based on the needs of Somalia, Omar’s comments suggest her allegiances are not properly aligned as a member of Congress.
“We are an organized society, brothers and sisters, people of the same blood, people who know they are Somalians first, Muslims second, who protect one another, come to each other’s aid and to the aid of other Muslims too,” she reportedly said.
The video, as reported by The Political Insider, has some issues of clarity and bias. Omar, who admits to struggling with speaking Somali, has her speech translated by Somaliland sources, whom she is highly critical of. The language itself lends itself to difficult translation, so the words must be taken with a grain of salt.
That isn’t stopping voices on the right side of the aisle from suggesting that Omar must be ejected from Congress, however.
Representative Mike Collins (R-GA), speaking on the “Just the News, No Noise” television show, suggested that he would support Omar’s expulsion. Even then, he notes that his opinions are based on a reliance of the translation of the video.
“I wouldn’t have understood a word that she was saying she should be speaking in English. And the fact that we’ve already gotten rid of one member of Congress this year, would be in full support or getting rid of another one. And that would be her,” he said referencing George Santos (R-NY).
“[T]o tell people that we’re going to force the American government to do what Somalia wants, and what’s in the best interests of Somalia,” added Collins. “You know, my advice to her is if she wants to be a part of that government, go back to Somalia and sign up or whatever form of government they have. But when you’re here, and you’re in the United States of America, especially when you’re a representative in Congress, this is America First.”
RELATED: Fact Check: Ilhan Omar Claims She Never Compared Israel, US to the Taliban
Should She Be Expelled? Or Do We Need More Information
A significant number of right-leaning pundits on social media agree with Collins and believe that Omar must face expulsion. Matt Walsh contends she must not only be expelled but deported.
“Omar declares in no uncertain terms that she’s working to protect Somali interests in Congress, as opposed to American interests,” Walsh writes.
“It should go without saying but if that translation is even remotely accurate, then obviously Ilhan Omar needs to be expelled from Congress and deported immediately, if not imprisoned for treason,” he contends. “We’re a complete joke of a country if we allow people like this to serve in public office.”
Political commentator Liz Wheeler also noted that Santos was expelled allegedly for simply lying on his resume.
“Ilhan Omar says she’s Somali first, Muslim second, never says she’s American, & threatens to make the U.S. bow to Somali interests,” Wheeler wrote. “EXPEL HER, you cowards.”
Various other sources on X seem to agree.
This video aside, there are several reasons why Omar would meet the criteria for expulsion – ranging from her dismissal of 9/11 as trivial, to her comparing the U.S. to the Taliban, to a slew of anti-Semitic remarks.
If she were a Republican, Democrats would have voted her out long ago. Will the GOP give them a taste of their own medicine?
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