Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has once again sparked controversy by suggesting that the United States, the country that welcomed her as a child refugee, is morphing into a police state, a dictatorship, and one of the worst nations globally.
According to RedState, Omar made these remarks during an interview with "Democracy Now!" last week. The congresswoman's comments ranged from criticizing ICE repatriation raids on illegal aliens with criminal records to expressing disdain for a parade celebrating 250 years of Army service and American history.
"We are in the midst of the creation of a police state, where, you know, you have masked, armed men who are in plainclothes that are snatching people off the streets, unwilling to identify themselves," she said. "You have the military being deployed in our streets." She then added, "My god, this is America."
Omar's comments have been met with criticism, with some arguing that law enforcement enforcing laws and a parade celebrating the armed services are not indicative of a police state. Critics also point out the distinction between a dictator using the military to suppress citizens and a President celebrating history with a parade.
The congresswoman continued her tirade against the Army parade, stating, "And the same week where we have a president who has deployed the military, who are trained to kill our enemiesnot Americans, but our enemiesare in our streets ... " she spat. "Can you imagine that image that is going to be coming out of our country?"
Critics argue that such a display is not unprecedented, citing instances when Presidents Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, and JFK celebrated the military with parades. They argue that these parades serve as a reminder of the greatness of our men and women in uniform.
Omar, however, remained undeterred in her criticism. "I mean, I grew up in a dictatorship, and I dont even remember ever witnessing anything like that, to have a democracy, a beacon of hope for the world, to now be turned into one of the you know, one of the worst countries, where the military are in our streets, without any regard for peoples constitutional rights, while our president is spending millions of dollars prompting himself up like a failed dictator with a military parade."
Omar, who represents Minnesotas 5th congressional district, moved to the United States in 1995 at the age of 12. She and her family fled the civil war in Somalia and lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for four years before resettling in the United States.
Her comments have not been without backlash. In 2019, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) criticized Omar for complaining about alleged prejudice in America in a New York Times op-ed. "She (Omar) has the honor of actually winning a seat in Congress, and she says were a terrible country, Paul said at the time. I think thats about as ungrateful as you can get.
Paul even offered to contribute to a ticket for Omar to visit Somalia, suggesting that she might appreciate America more after witnessing the conditions in her home country.
Omar has previously made controversial statements, including dismissing 9/11 as an event in which some people did something and criticizing Americans for their "pervasive ignorance." These comments, coupled with her recent remarks, have led some to question her appreciation for the country that welcomed her and her family.
Login