Editor’s Note: PolitiFact spoke with a Somali professor at Ohio State who claims that Omar actually said Somali-Americans are a “people who know they are Somalis and Muslims who come to the aid of another and aid their other brothers and sisters.”
Democratic Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar faced backlash after a viral clip of her speech to Somali American constituents.
In the speech, she addressed Somalia’s deal with Ethiopia and was criticized for saying she was “Somalian first, Muslim second” and “here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the U.S. system.”
Omar defended her remarks, saying the translation was off and that she is committed to supporting Somalis and Muslims.
Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport! https://t.co/UyjEmSSIoQ
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 30, 2024
Some called for her resignation or deportation.
“Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport!” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote.
“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. She should resign in disgrace,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer wrote on X.
