Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has once again found herself at the center of a political storm after a recent speech in which she allegedly declared that she was “here to protect the interests of Somalia.” The controversial comments, made in Somali during a talk to a group of Somali-American constituents, have set off a firestorm of criticism from conservatives who are questioning her loyalty to the United States, the country she was elected to serve.

The speech came in response to reports that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had moved to support a Somali region in its bid for sovereignty. According to some translations of her speech, Omar told her audience to “sleep in comfort” knowing that she would “protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system.” While the context and accuracy of these translations have been disputed, the implication is clear: Omar seems to prioritize the interests of her home country over those of the nation she swore an oath to defend.

The backlash from conservatives has been swift and fierce. Many are accusing Omar of putting Somalia’s needs first and suggesting that she views herself as a representative of Somalia rather than the people of Minnesota. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) didn’t hold back, calling Omar’s comments a “slap in the face” to the constituents who elected her to represent them in Washington. “She should resign in disgrace,” Emmer declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also weighed in, condemning Omar’s remarks as further evidence of her alleged disloyalty to America. “Terrorist sympathizer Ilhan Omar in her own words: Somalian first. Muslim second. She never mentions America,” Greene wrote. “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’s comments tap into the growing frustration over the lack of action on securing the U.S. border while some on the left focus on issues abroad.

In her defense, Omar has disputed the accuracy of the translations, calling them “slanted” and “completely off.” She dismissed the criticism as “propaganda” and claimed that no nation can survive if its states start making international land agreements without federal consent. “Somalis in Somalia and in the diaspora are united in that effort and I stand in solidarity with them,” Omar posted on X, insisting that the critics were spreading lies.

This isn’t the first time Omar has drawn controversy over her rhetoric. A separate video surfaced last year in which Omar allegedly instructed Somali immigrants on how to avoid deportation. “If ICE attempts to question you, you are not obligated to answer their questions,” she reportedly said. “Learn the laws and prepare yourself.” These remarks only added fuel to the fire, with critics accusing her of encouraging illegal immigration and undermining U.S. law enforcement.

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-MN) took a strong stance, saying, “America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia,” and adding, “We should have never let Ilhan Omar into our country.” Even Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, weighed in on the debate, claiming that Omar was “breaking the law” with her comments on deportation.

For many conservatives, Omar’s repeated behavior and statements appear to reflect a troubling disregard for American values and an unwavering loyalty to foreign interests. Whether it’s her focus on Somalia’s sovereignty or her attempts to undermine U.S. immigration laws, the Minnesota congresswoman’s actions continue to raise serious questions about where her true loyalties lie.

As her controversial remarks and actions continue to draw attention, it’s clear that the debate over Omar’s loyalty to the U.S. is far from over. With her approval ratings in her home state slipping, it remains to be seen how long she can weather the political storm.