Congressman Omar says her allegiance is to Somalia
Ilhan Omar is a congresswoman from Minnesota. She is officially a citizen of the United States and has sworn an oath of allegiance when she became a citizen and an oath to uphold the Constitution when she became a member of Congress. She is of Somalian ancestry.
So, is she a loyal citizen – and an upholder of her oaths? That would not be a question if she had not said some provocative things. In a speech in her native language, Omar said that she is FIRST a Somalian and second a Muslim. Notably absent was any reference to being an American.
Traditionally, those who come to the United States to become Americans are proud of their new designation. They proclaim themselves to be an American first. That does not mean that they do not love and live their ancestral traditions of language, food, music or religion. It is just that they have pledged allegiance and loyalty to America. They love to BE an American.
Omar’s comments could be interpreted as merely an oversight – that she was speaking only within the context of ancestral culture. She did not mean to disregard her American citizenship.
But she said something else that is potentially clarifying and truly disturbing. She added “Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the U.S. system.”
That is not a misstatement. That is specific and a declarative … period. She could be describing herself as a foreign agent.
There is an incidental irony to her statements. Omar – and other members of the squad – have been critical of Jewish Americans for what they claim is their loyalty to Israel. Of course, no Jewish member of Congress has ever said that their primary purpose is to protect the interest of Israel from inside the U.S. system. If they ever had done so, I suspect Omar would be among the first to point a condemning finger at them.
So … let us take Omar at her word. What should be done about it?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis believes that Omar should be tossed from the Congress, have her citizenship revoked and be deported back to Somalia. That has a certain visceral appeal for folks who love America but it is a bit hyperbolic. That is not how we do things in America if we respect the Constitution and value our own rights– even if our gut feels otherwise.
George Washington University professor and constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley offers a different view. He looks at the Omar situation through the prism of two of America’s most important freedoms and rights – free speech and the reliance on the people to elect their own representatives.
In his blog, Turley wrote, “While I have been a long critic of Omar, her views expressed in this speech are not only protected speech, but they are not a basis for denaturalization.”
As a free speech extremist – like our Founders and consistent with the meaning of the First Amendment – I understand that unless we tolerate unpopular opinions and even offensive speech, we are undermining our own constitutional rights.
I have always been very reluctant to nullify the manifest will of the people by politically removing elected officials for anything but the most extreme transgressions – literally convicted of major crimes. I would not have expelled Congressman Ron Santos. I would not expel Senator Robert Menendez. I prefer to leave those decisions up to the collective will of the people in the next election.
That does not mean that there should be no consequences in the meantime. In the Omar case, I would consider a resolution of condemnation, removal from any leadership positions in Congress and from committee assignments – especially those that have any responsibility for foreign policy.
If she were found to pursue specific activities beneficial to Somalia and detrimental to United States security – a crime – that would justify both removal and criminal adjudication. So far, that threshold has not been met.
Even if such measures were invoked, it is possible that the people of her District would reelect her. I may not respect their decision, but I do respect their right to make that decision.
In short, I do not like or respect Omar. I personally wish she were not in Congress. But the people of her District put her there, and it is their primary duty and responsibility to decide her future as a representative of the people.
Omar was almost unseated in her 2022 primary election. We can only hope that a challenge in either the primary or general election will be more successful this time. THAT is the American way.
So, there ‘tis.
Larry you are sugar coating. She is not only of Somali ancestry, she was born in Mogadishu, Somalia! I have no love for her and her anti-American, anti-Israel position. The problem is she is representing a district that is 84% Muslim. Some of her statements have shocked me. Sometimes I do wonder if she says these things to gain support and maintain her high paying congressional job or does she really feel that way. But since she says them to the press, I go with that she really feels that way. I think it wise to remove her from any and all committees. This can be done as a normal proceeding of the controlling party. But I would allow her to be on dog catcher kinds of committees. You are correct, most folks that come here are very proud of being here and are very positive about the USA. She is the exception but not unique by a long shot.
But do you really mean “foreign agent” or “foreign lobbyist”? I do think based on the statement alone without context that she should be made to register as a foreign lobbyist. Foreign agent would mean she has a government boss in Somalia. I do agree with Turley on this one in that the argument about undermining our free speech rights is a very powerful argument. And I have often told you that you need to be a little more flexible in the matter of Frank Stetson’s free speech opinions. You can disagree with him like I do with you, but we can be respectful and not call names and make ugly assertions. But I digress…..
I agree with your right to not like! But I do think you should respect the office she holds. Remember its about the office, not about her. Kind of like in the military. I did not always like my CO’s but I always saluted the uniform. I join you in hoping she gets unseated.
Kick her ass back to Somali
She’s an ass at best, but ineffectual, without power, and just a mirror image of MTGreene. Even if she might have a point, her communcation skills put that right in the crapper as she ignites, inflames, enrages, seeming just for the sound bite because she’s getting nothing else done. At work, we would call these folks lightning rods; don’t stand too close, it might arc and hit you.
Ignore it and hopefully they will unseat her in the next office. Pelosi tamped this shit down, Johnson does not have a chance.
But on that note: who’s picking MTG’s SOTU outift? Oddmakers having a tought choice over leathers versus feathers. But all agree, there will be fishnets and heavy makeup involved.
Good point Frank. Omar does appear to be the Muslim version of MTG!!! Very astute of you!!
And while we are on it, I vote for MTG in black leather mini skirt, black fishnets, half vest with deep V low cut body halter shirt, a few chains hanging from her hips, knuckle stud gloves, belly button ring, braless, and full of pasty makeup – perhaps gothic eye shadow and lipstick to go with the leathers. And maybe that T in MTG can stand for “Tuskadero” like in the latter Happy Days shows, remember “Leather Tuskadero”? This will be the gothic GOP version. I selected Gothic because it represents death to me, and she represents the death of many reasonable congressional budgets and moderate laws that would be good for our country. She is an autocrat in the image of Trump, and this means the death of democracy.
And just to be fair, I had Nancy Pelosi in a Pixie outfit just like that kids TV show in the Delaware Valley that came on before Sally Star. Nancy would fly above them when in chambers and would throw happy-GOP pixie dust that would make them want to vote for ObamaCare and meet Dems half way.
Ship Ilhan BACK to SOMALIA . . . DEPORT her!
This lady has no business whatsoever being a representative to my congress in my country if her primary allegiance is to a foreign country. SHE MUST GO
Francis MacDonald … I share your feeling, but my loyalty is to the Constitution and the Republic. Whether you and I like it or not, she has been elected by the folks in her district. If I were to nullify their decisions, some leftwing authority in the future will nullify mine. I hope the voters in her district will come to respect the Constitution as much as we do. And kick her ass out.
This lady has no business whatsoever being a representative to my congress in my country if her primary allegiance is to a foreign country. SHE MUST GO.
Revoke her US citizenship and deport her back to Somalia! She has no business in this country especially in our government. Anybody who does not pledge allegiance to our country and flag must be removed post haste.
Even though she is an ineffectual ass and not very bright she should be kicked out of the congress. She has disavowed her loyalty to America. i would like to see the list of any congresspeople who voted against her banashment if the vote came up. These are the people undermining the country and need to go. Seriously, how can we have a congressoman who’s stated, primary loyalty is to another country?
Larry (and all the other responders) Those of us who read you regularly know you tend to play fast and loose with the facts-this is yet another example. If you researched this at all (instead of using your right wing sources) you would find that she did not say “Somalian first, Muslim second”, but that wouldn’t make a good story for the windbag post and you wouldn’t get paid. The words were “we are people who know they are Somali and Muslim”, hardly the tempest in a teapot that you have written about to stir people up. Yes, you are confirmed to be an idiot..
I agree with you that Larry gets loose with the facts. My reason for not wanting Omar in Congress dealt with her poor statements about Israel and her wishing to shift out support to Palestinians.
Tom … You are known by the company you keep. Your problem is that you arrogantly think your opinions are facts. I would happily challenge the factual sources of my opinions against yours any day.. But I have a real life and, as I have told Frank several times, I have no interest in satisfying your desire to have prolonged debates that have no meaning in my life. If that gets you your jollies, great. But I am not joining the club. No desire. No time.
Mike f … Your source did not provide the fuller statement. You need to be more careful. And thanks for again confirming your character with childish insults and name calling.
Larry, Yes, you as are incapable of admitting when you are wrong-while that might not make you an idiot in some people’s minds, it does mine. Not a childish insult (unlike your antisemitic comments about me) simply a statement of fact. I have read the post, and despite your conservative sources. saying one thing, that doesn’t make it true. Conservative sources tend to play fast and loose with the facts (as do you). Your post is incorrect, but since you are an idiot, you will not admit it (there I said it again -so wish I could say it to your face in Boca…)
Mike f … You are a ignorant person. I do not mean that as a pejorative, but as a description of you intellectual knowledge. How you think of me — in your mind — has no import to me or anyone else. Your name calling, however, is at a childish level. You are ignorant of my sources, but you criticize them. Actually, I spend much more time with left wing sources. I am on dozens of progressive leftwing email lists. I follow the New York Times and the Washington Post and spend more time watching MSNBC and CNN than any other television news source. You simply do not KNOW what you are talking about. I can enjoy good conversation with people who disagree with me — IF they are intelligent, logical, objective. You are none of that in my opinion. So, we can leave it at that.
What’s keeping this Islamic whore here in America? Who doesn’t let her into her Somalia?
Again Larry stirs his readers’ ire just by mentioning one Democrat representative he knows is edgy with controversy. His readers’ replies are full throated lambast of another’s rights as an American.
I understand First Amendment free speech rights, but it’s a double edged sword which cuts both ways. Its sharp edges can be used in defense of crude and ugly accusations hurled in this space. But, expect rebuttal or retaliation, given that free speech is not reserved for use by the political right alone.
One’s opinion is not above another’s with an opposing opinion. Either one, or both could be tinfoil hat propaganda and not worth a tinker’s dime. Day after Day say what you will, or what anyone else may say, just because it’s in print does not prove it’s true in fact
After all is said in the trading of insults back and forth is, it’s one person’s right to have an opinion and then respect is due the rights of others with opinions of their own. But, the situation becomes dicey when opinions clash.
Some cases of these clashes on PBP are purposefully and intentionally published to poke at a known political irritant. It’s like tossing red meat into known shark infested waters just to watch.