Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for Ilhan Omar to be removed from Congress and the country over a speech which critics claim she placed protection of Somali interests above US.
On Saturday night, Omar gave a Somali-language speech to a group of community leaders at a Minneapolis hotel.
As she addressed the crowd, the congresswoman challenged plans by the Ethiopian government to enter a sea access deal with the breakaway Republic of Somaliland.
In a translated video, she can be heard saying that "the US government will only do what Somalians in the US tell them to do. They must do what we want and nothing else.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for Ilhan Omar to be removed from Congress
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"They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interest of Somalia.”
Referring to herself, she added: "The US is a country where one of your daughters is in Congress to represent your interest.
"For as long as I am in the US Congress, Somalia will never be in danger, its waters will not be stolen by Ethiopia or others … Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system."
DeSantis has slammed her comments and demanded she is deported from the US.
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Writing on social media, the former 2024 Republican presidential candidate said: "Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport!"
According to the translation, Omar also attacked the governments of Ethiopia and Kenya, alleging that they have "stolen" territory from their neighbouring nation.
She is thought to have said that "we will liberate the occupied territories" of Djibouti, Somaliland and Kenya’s North Eastern Province - which has a large population of ethnic Somalis and Somali refugees.
Her comments were also condemned by Somaliland’s deputy foreign minister, Rhoda J Elmi who accused her of "ethno-racist rhetoric."
Ron DeSantis said Omar should be 'expelled' from Congress over her remarks
REUTERSThe congresswoman has insisted her remarks were misinterpreted.
In response to the backlash, the 41-year-old said: "It’s not only slanted but completely off, but I wouldn’t expect more from these propagandists. I pray for them and for their sanity.
"Somalis in Somalia and in the diaspora are united in that effort and I stand in solidarity with them. No amount of harassment and lies will ever change that."
Omar’s fellow Minnesotan, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, said she should "resign in disgrace" over her "appalling, Somalia-first comments," which he called "a slap in the face to the Minnesotans she was elected to serve and a direct violation of her oath of office."
