Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota sparked controversy after a Democracy Now interview in which she compared U.S. actions under Trump to authoritarian regimes. Drawing on her experience growing up under dictatorship in Somalia, she condemned the use of troops during protests and criticized Trump’s military parade as un-American.
Omar warned that such moves threaten constitutional freedoms and reflect a dangerous shift away from the nation’s founding values. Her comments, she said, were rooted in a desire to protect democracy — even as a refugee who became a U.S. citizen.
The backlash was swift. Critics on social media called her ungrateful and questioned her loyalty, with some suggesting she should leave the country. Conservative voices accused her of incitement and pressed for stronger action against her.
Despite the outrage, Omar stood by her remarks. The incident underscores ongoing tensions over patriotism, dissent, and who gets to define American values.