Rep. Ilhan Omar sharply criticized her political opponents and the American public during an interview with Zeteo, calling some of the rhetoric directed at her “embarrassing” and questioning how such views continue to shape national politics. Her remarks come as immigration debates intensify under President Donald Trump’s current administration and as she faces renewed attacks from Republican lawmakers.
The interview highlighted attacks against her by Republican colleagues. The interviewer referenced a post by Republican Rep. Brandon Gill, who shared a video of Omar and wrote that “America would be a better place if Ilhan Omar were deported back to Somalia.” Omar, who was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States as a refugee before becoming a naturalized citizen, has represented Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District since 2019.
America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia. https://t.co/ABjBQX9DXx
— Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) February 4, 2025
Responding to the comment, Omar said, “These people are just idiots. I’m at the point where it’s 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, not just in Congress but as Americans.”
Democrat Ilhan Omar says "Americans are stupid."pic.twitter.com/UufWBW3i7K
— Anti Left Memes (@AntiLeftMemes) February 16, 2026
She added that such rhetoric reflects a broader cultural and political shift. “The fact that these people are allowed to say just the most ridiculous things tells you that the dumbing of the United States has arrived—because how else do we get a Trump presidency again?” she said.
Omar’s comments come amid sustained criticism from Republican lawmakers. Sen. Tommy Tuberville recently singled her out during remarks at a hearing that included House members associated with the Sharia Free America Caucus. Tuberville questioned her place in the United States and accused her of supporting values he described as incompatible with American culture.
“If people like Ilhan Omar love this way of life back home, why don’t you just move the hell back? This is our country” pic.twitter.com/YcnkHqfDn0
— American Gazzete (@AmericanGazzete) February 7, 2026
“If people like Ilhan Omar love this way of life back home, why don’t you just move the hell back? This is our country,” Tuberville said, drawing a distinction between Muslims he said seek to assimilate and those he accused of adhering to Sharia law.
Tuberville’s remarks echoed previous criticism from Trump, who has repeatedly targeted Omar in public speeches. During an appearance at the Detroit Economic Club, Trump referred to her as a “total scam artist,” questioned her authority to speak on the Constitution and referenced Somalia in derogatory terms while discussing immigration and fraud enforcement.
Her remarks to Zeteo underscore how personal and heated debates have become, particularly as Trump’s presidency returns immigration enforcement and questions of federal authority to the center of national politics.
