Backlash intensifies after Rep. Omar's speech in support of Somalia
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ostmedia News
Published Jan 30, 2024 • 2 minute read
Calls for the resignation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar have come fast and fierce — including from a top House Republican — after the U.S. representative for Minnesota’s 5th district was accused of putting Somali’s interests ahead of the country she serves.
In a speech, Omar, a Democrat born in Somalia, appeared to assure her Somali-American constituents that they should take any measures necessary to prevent the disputed, breakaway Republic of Somaliland from entering into a sea-access deal with landlocked Ethiopia.
“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,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer wrote on X. “She should resign in disgrace.”
A clip of the lawmaker representing Minnesota has gained more than 2.6 million views after it was posted on X, with a translation suggesting Omar had said: “As Somalis, one day we will go after our missing territories.”
The congresswoman claims her remarks were lost in translation, the New York Post reported.
“It’s not only slanted but completely off,” Omar said of the subtitles in a video of her speech shared by Republic of Somaliland Foreign Minister Rhoda Elmi. “But I wouldn’t expect more from these propagandists.”
“While I am in Congress, no one will take Somalia’s sea,” Omar said during the Jan. 27 speech, according to a translation she deemed to be more accurate. “The United States will not back others to rob us. So, do not lose sleep over that.”
Elmi told House leadership and Democrats to “take note of (Omar’s) public conduct” and said the speech was “unbecoming (of) a United States Congresswoman.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ripped Omar for vowing to protect Somalia’s borders while opposing efforts to shore up the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Terrorist sympathizer Ilhan Omar in her own words: Somalian first. Muslim second. She never mentions America,” Greene posted on X.
“She flaunts using her position as congresswoman to protect Somalia’s border while our border is invaded by MILLIONS of illegals who are a danger to America,” the Georgia Republican added. “These people hate America, and they’re so emboldened by the Democrats’ disdain for our country, they’re not even trying to hide it anymore.”
The Republic of Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, but is not widely recognized internationally, including by the U.S.
Omar wants to keep it that way.
Many on X weren’t having any of it.
“Who in their right mind would think it is OK that your tax dollars are paying someone in government that says America doesn’t come first. What exactly are you paying her for?” one person said in a post.
“She should be immediately expelled from Congress. She took an oath as a citizen against supporting other countries, not to mention one of the biggest supporters of terrorism in Somalia,” another X user posted.
Omar claims the translation of her speech was “not only slanted, but completely off.”
nypost.com
Calls for the resignation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar have come fast and fierce.
torontosun.com