February 1, 2024
Ron DeSantis and Fellow Republicans Call For Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Deportation And Expulsion Over Somalia Remarks
What happened to free speech?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has time on his hands and is using it to try to get Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) out of Congress.
Video of Omar making remarks telling a group that she was “Somalian first” surfaced on social media, triggering opinions of lawmakers, including DeSantis. In a tweet, the failed presidential candidate called for Omar to be expelled and deported from her seat and the country. “Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport!” DeSantis wrote on Jan. 30.
The post claims Omar failed to mention America while speaking to the group in Minneapolis, raising eyebrows. “Oh, and she says that her primary job in Congress is to protect Somali interests,” the post read.
Omar, whose story started as the first Somali American represented in Congress and the first woman of color to represent Minnesota, has been a frequent target for conservative lawmakers and voters. In 2022, Omar, a Muslim, was under fire for criticizing a group of Christian singers singing songs on a plane. She responded on Twitter, saying, “I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?”
Now, her latest statements are causing a push for an investigation. According to The Hill, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) wants the House Ethics Committee to investigate Omar. In a letter to Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Emmer accused Omar of “delivering shocking remarks expressing allegiance to the interests of Somalia.”
Reiterating his remarks on Twitter, Emmer said, “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,” he said.
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Fl.) also chimed in on the issue. In a video, he said his colleague is “always wrong about this stuff.” “I think it’s wrong but that’s typical for Illhan, she’s always wrong about this stuff,” he said. “If that’s how she feels, then why is she in the United States Congress?”
However, Omar isn’t backing down. She says she is embarrassed by Emmer and claims this is a publicity attempt after losing a chance at being House Speaker in 2023. “The attacks being lobbied against me are not only completely false, they are rooted in xenophobia and Islamophobia,” Omar said in a statement.