United States (KAAB TV) – U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota and originally from Somalia, made headlines this week with pointed criticism of the United States, stating that the country has become one of the “worst” in the world.
In an interview published Friday on the Democracy Now! YouTube channel, Omar compared the current state of the U.S. to a dictatorship, saying:
“I grew up in a dictatorial regime, but I have never seen anything like what is happening in the United States. The country that was once seen as a beacon of democracy now looks like one of the worst—military forces in the streets, no regard for constitutional rights.”
Her comments came shortly before a military-style ceremony organized by former President Donald Trump to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The event, which also coincided with Flag Day and Trump’s 79th birthday, was viewed by some as politically charged.
Unimpressed by the spectacle, Omar criticized the event as authoritarian in nature:
“Our president is spending millions of dollars to portray himself as a failed dictator. This is shocking, and the American people should be very careful. This is not the country we were born in, not the country we were proud of, and certainly not the country our founders envisioned. What’s happening does not align with our Constitution or our values.”
She also accused Trump of undermining the country:
“The person destroying this country is Trump. He has contempt for the values that built the United States. Protest and dissent are constitutional rights—it’s the very first amendment.”
Her statements sparked significant backlash, particularly from conservative circles. Fox News contributor Guy Benson labeled her comments as a “gross violation,” reflecting the deep partisan divide in reactions to Omar’s remarks.