opinion
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) criticized her colleague Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) after a video surfaced online claiming the “Squad” member suggested the U.S. government would “follow orders” from Somalis and “do what I ask.” Tell them to do it.”
The controversial comments appeared in a video posted on YouTube and circulated on X, filled with captions. It is important to note that the captions have not been verified. In the video, Omar speaks in front of an audience at the Hyatt Hotel in Minneapolis, Somalia.
Omar says, according to the translation: “The United States government will only do what the Somalis in the United States ask it to do.” “They will do what we want and nothing else.”
She adds: “They must follow our orders, and this is how we will protect Somalia's interests.” “We Somalis must have confidence in ourselves because we own the decision in the United States.”
Shocking video of @IlhanMN Saying that it makes the US government take orders from Somalia:
“The United States government will only do what the Somalis in the United States tell it to do. They will do what we want and nothing else. They must obey our orders, and that is how we maintain interest… pic.twitter.com/qIgIbufHTK
– Paul A. Chipola 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 28, 2024
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It is important to note that the Somali wording is difficult to translate into English, with some phrases not being an exact match. It is also worth noting that Omar speaks about US policy regarding the naval base agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
a Larger section The Minnesota Democrat's comments were circulated by the Somaliland Deputy Foreign Minister. Thus ensuring there is a bias in the translation, as Omar criticizes the Somalilanders whom she apparently refers to as “Somali charlatans.”
Somaliland is a country in the Horn of Africa that is not currently recognized by any member of the United Nations.
Deputy Secretary Rhoda G. Elmi said she was “shocked” by Omar's comments and accused the congresswoman of using “racist” rhetoric.
Omar's speech seems to oscillate between her own perspective and that of Somalis in general who are speaking out for their rights by speaking to their representative leaders. As a result, it is difficult to determine its exact wording.
The Somaliland Chronicle interprets her comments as a more direct reference to her power.
They claimed Omar said: “The United States government will do what I ask them to do about this.”
“The woman you sent to Congress works day and night to protect your interests. She knows your plight and the plight of Somalia. “I'm as worried about Somalia as you guys are,” she told the audience. “Together, we will protect Somalia’s interests.”
Also raising eyebrows was the alleged assertion that Somalis like her are country first. Not the United States, but Somalia.
“There are areas of friction that have led us to kill each other, but in reality, we are an organized community, brothers and sisters, people of the same blood, people who know that they are Somalis first, Muslims second, protecting each other,” she reportedly said: “Let’s help each other and help the Muslims.” Others too.”
RELATED: Ilhan Omar: My first impression of America was disappointing
MGreene criticizes 'the band' member.
Greene immediately criticized Omar for the alleged comments, calling her a “terrorist sympathizer,” a phrase she has previously used to describe her colleague, and noted that she did not mention that she was American.
“Terrorist sympathizer Ilhan Omar in her own words: Somali first. Muslim second. “Never mentioned America,” Greene wrote on social media. “She brags about using her position as a congresswoman to protect Somalia’s borders while ours are invaded by millions of illegal immigrants who pose a danger to America.”
She continued: “These people hate America and have been emboldened by the Democrats' disdain for our country, and they are not trying to hide it anymore.”
Omar too Published to Xthe social media platform formerly known as Twitter, noted that the translation of her comments was “not only slanted, but completely distorted.”
Omar says in the video that “her understanding of the Somali language is terrible.”
The congresswoman often points to a misinterpretation when defending her controversial statements, most notably her widely publicized anti-Semitic comments, when she compares the United States and the Israeli military to the Taliban, and when September 11 rejected As an event in which “some people did something.”
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