Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota and a Somali refugee, stirred significant controversy following an interview with Democracy Now in which she criticized recent U.S. military actions and the Trump administration’s handling of domestic unrest. Specifically, Omar condemned the deployment of troops during protests in Los Angeles, likening the scene to those in authoritarian regimes, including Somalia, where she was born. She voiced alarm over what she described as America’s drift from democratic principles, accusing former President Trump of encouraging authoritarianism by using military force to suppress dissent and orchestrating an expensive military parade to mark the U.S. Army’s anniversary. Emphasizing that protest is protected under the First Amendment, Omar urged Americans to speak out against what she sees as a departure from constitutional norms.

Her remarks drew swift and fierce backlash on social media, especially from conservatives and military supporters. Critics accused Omar of being ungrateful and hypocritical, questioning why someone who once sought refuge in the United States would speak so critically of it. Some went as far as to call for her deportation. Others defended the military parade and called her comments offensive to service members, particularly in light of the U.S. military’s past involvement in Somalia. The response extended to Republican lawmakers, with many on social media demanding a stronger reaction to Omar’s statements. Despite the backlash, Omar has stood by her views, reigniting divisive debates about patriotism, immigration, and freedom of speech in an increasingly polarized American political landscape.