In a recent social media exchange, President Donald Trump urged Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota to return to her native Somalia.
This came in response to a video in which Omar, addressing a Minneapolis crowd in Somali, referred to Somalia as her home and its President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as "our president."
According to Western Journal, Omar's speech revealed a close bond with Mohamud, whom she affectionately referred to as "uncle," reciprocated by him calling her "his girl." She expressed her deep connection to her homeland, stating, "We are very happy that Hassan is our President. Somalia is our home Somalia is our heart. It is in our hearts. We always think about Somalia."
Trump's response to Omar's sentiments was succinct. He posted on Truth Social, "She should go back!" This comment reflects a conservative perspective that values loyalty to one's adopted country, especially for those in positions of political power.
Omar, however, seemed unfazed by the calls for her deportation. In an interview on The Dean Obeidallah Show, she said, "I have no worry, I dont know how theyd take away my citizenship and like deport me." She further expressed her confusion over the threat of deportation, stating, "Im not the 8-year-old who escaped war anymore. Im grown, my kids are grown. Like I could go live wherever I want if I wanted to."
This isn't the first time Omar has faced such calls. Earlier this year, Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill demanded Omar's deportation after a video surfaced of her advising illegal immigrants on how to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gill asserted on X, "America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia," adding, "We should have never let Ilhan Omar into our country."
Omar, who arrived in the U.S. as a war refugee in 1995 and became a naturalized citizen in 2000, was elected to Congress in 2018. Her journey from war-torn Somalia to the corridors of American power is a testament to the opportunities offered by the United States, a cornerstone of conservative values.
However, her perceived allegiance to Somalia has raised eyebrows. Last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for her expulsion from Congress after she seemingly suggested she represented Somalia rather than Americans. In a video, Omar is quoted as saying, "The U.S. government will only do what Somalians in the U.S. 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 interests of Somalia."
Trump, in a conversation with reporters, revealed he had suggested to the Somali head that he might want to take Omar back. The response was a resounding, "I dont want her."
While Omar's loyalty to her native country is evident, it raises questions about her commitment to the United States and its citizens. If she feels such a strong connection to Somalia, perhaps she should consider returning. However, it remains to be seen whether she will take this step.
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