A political firestorm erupted after Texas Republican Representative Brandon Gill called for the deportation of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. In a controversial post on X (formerly Twitter), Gill asserted that the United States would be “a better place” if Omar were sent back to Somalia, the country of her birth. Note: The video is at the end of the article.
Gill’s statement was accompanied by a video featuring Omar, in which she appeared to advise Somali immigrants—some potentially undocumented—on how to handle encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The video, initially posted by conservative influencer Greg Price, sparked strong reactions, with Price accusing Omar of assisting illegal immigrants in evading deportation.
Omar, who came to the U.S. as a refugee before becoming a naturalized citizen, provided guidance in the clip, telling individuals that they are not legally required to disclose their immigration status or answer ICE agents’ questions. “You are not obligated to answer their questions. Just state that you are advised by a lawyer not to answer questions,” she said. Omar further emphasized that individuals should educate themselves on their legal rights and avoid sharing information that could be used against them.
Gill’s post ignited intense discussion on social media, with many of his followers supporting his stance. One user wrote, “She’s as anti-American as they come. She pledged allegiance to the U.S. and has only ever acted against it.” Another suggested, “Isn’t this against the law? Expel her!” Others went as far as accusing Omar of committing federal crimes by advising undocumented individuals on how to interact with immigration authorities.
Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson for Gill reinforced his viewpoint, stating, “Representative Omar’s conduct raises questions about where her loyalty truly lies—with the American people or with illegal immigrants from Somalia. It is disgraceful for a sitting Congresswoman to aid in what amounts to the invasion of our country.”
When asked about Gill’s remarks, Omar dismissed them outright in an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, saying, “These people are just idiots.” She further criticized the level of discourse in American politics, claiming that engaging in intellectual debates with certain lawmakers had become nearly impossible. “The level of stupidity they are displaying every single day is, frankly, embarrassing—not just for Congress, but for America as a whole,” she remarked.
Omar went on to connect Gill’s comments to what she described as a broader trend of anti-immigrant sentiment, suggesting that such rhetoric reflects the “dumbing down” of political discussions in the U.S. She even tied it to the rise of former President Donald Trump, saying, “How else do we get a Trump presidency again?”
The controversy highlights the growing divide in American politics, with immigration and nationalism remaining hot-button issues. While Gill’s remarks have been embraced by many on the right, Omar’s supporters argue that such statements are a dangerous escalation of nativist sentiment against immigrants, even those who have become U.S. citizens and hold public office.
The heated exchange between the two lawmakers underscores the broader ideological battle in Congress, with each side viewing the other as an existential threat to the country’s future. Whether Gill’s comments will lead to further political fallout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the debate over immigration and national identity is far from over.
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“I am at the point where it has become really hard to have an intellectual debate with any of these people because the level of stupidity that they are displaying every single day is frankly, embarrassing,” Omar said. “Not just in Congress, but as Americans.”
