Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was once again criticized by conservatives over the weekend when video of her giving a passionate speech about protecting the interests of Somalia, her homeland, was posted online. 

The speech was not in English, but the English translation that accompanied it on X suggested that Omar said she's in Congress to represent Somali Americans' interests and that the “U.S. will do what we want and nothing else.”

She referred to a deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, an unrecognized area north of Somalia that is nevertheless autonomous and self-governing, that involves Ethiopia leasing part of the Somaliland coast.

To get to the coast, Ethiopia will have to travel across Somalia, which Omar claims violates its sovereignty.

"Ethno-racist rhetoric"

Omar also claimed that other territories were actually part of Somalia and that they would one day be united.

A representative of Somaliland, Rhoda Elmi, said that Omar's remarks used"ethno-racist rhetoric" and were "disappointing."

“The language she employed was regrettably unbecoming of both the office she holds and the constituents she represents,” the foreign minister wrote on X. “Her expressions were lacking in common decency and revealed a significant lack of understanding of basic facts.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) pointed out that Omar “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."

She then encouraged readers to vote in November.

Omar's defense

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) said that Omar should be expelled from Congress and deported over the remarks.

Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport! https://t.co/UyjEmSSIoQ

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 30, 2024

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) also called for Omar's resignation, saying, “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.”

Omar claimed that the English translation used was “not only slanted but completely off, but I wouldn’t expect more from these propagandists.”

“I pray for them and their sanity,” she wrote on X.