Conservatives are blasting Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a member of the House's progressive "Squad," for comments she made regarding her native Somalia.
Video shared on X by Somaliland's deputy minister of foreign affairs showed Omar addressing a crowd in a Minneapolis hotel, where she spoke about the unrecognized state's deal with Ethiopia, which Somalia alleges infringes on its territory.
An English translation of Omar's comments — which has not been verified by the Washington Examiner — to an apparently Somali American audience says she's in Congress to represent Somali Americans' interests and that the "U.S. will do what we want and nothing else."
Conservatives were quick to criticize Omar.
"Terrorist sympathizer Ilhan Omar in her own words: Somalian first. Muslim second. She never mentions America," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., 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."
Greene also urged citizens and "every like-minded Patriot" to vote in November.
Former Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-Va., used an "Israel War Room" on X to post: "Ilhan Omar is a disgraceful representative."
A researcher claimed on X that the "interpretation" of Omar's remarks "is slanted," the Examiner reported.
"It's not only slanted but completely off, but I wouldn't expect more from these propagandists," Omar wrote in response to the researcher's post. "I pray for them and for their sanity. No nation state can survive if its states start to get involved in land lease negotiations with other countries without the consent of the federal government. Somalis in Somalia and in the diaspora are united in that effort and I stand in solidarity with them. No amount of harassment and lies will ever change that."
Omar was referring to Ethiopia's memorandum of understanding with Somaliland. The memorandum said Somaliland agreed to lease part of its coastland to landlocked Ethiopia.
However, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera that Ethiopians would need to cross into Somalia's territory to get to the leased area.
"[That] will be a problem at a different level," Mohamud said, the Washington Examiner reported.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.