She then goes further into where their loyalties lie: “People who know they are Somalians first, Muslims second, who protect one another, come to each other’s aid and to the aid of other Muslims too.” She assures the audience that the U.S. government will “only do what Somalians in the U.S. tell them to do…They will do what we want and nothing else. They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interests of Somalia,” she said.
She further declares that “For as long as I am in the U.S. Congress, Somalia will never be in danger,” she said, telling Somalians to “sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the U.S. system.”
The speech has led to calls for expulsion from Congress and denaturalization. Neither would be appropriate, in my view.
The speech is clearly protected under the First Amendment. Omar is not advocating imminent violent or criminal conduct. She is expressing her personal priorities and loyalties. The omission of an expression of loyalty to the United States has left many irate and insulted. However, it is still protected speech. Indeed, burning an American flag and condemning America are protected forms of free expression.
[Is it worthy of political criticism? Absolutely. Can people argue that she should get voted out of office for this? Absolutely, and they’d be right, too. But this is speech, and it’s not even incitement to anything other than stupidity and annoyance. DeSantis call to “de-naturalize” Omar over it is so hyperbolic as to be counterproductive. Now Omar can wrap herself in the First Amendment and claim victimhood (again). Why not just call her a blathering idiot unworthy of her office and let it stand at that? — Ed]
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