Georgia GOP Rep. Collins offers 'full support' for expelling Ilhan Omar from House

Georgia Republican Rep. Mike Collins on Monday indicated he would support the expulsion of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from Congress after a video emerged over the weekend in which she appeared to say she would prioritize the interests of Somalia and endorsed the territorial expansion of the country.

"I wouldn't have understood a word that she was saying she should be speaking in English. And the fact that we've already gotten rid of one member of Congress this year, would be in full support or getting rid of another one. And that would be her," he said on the "Just the News, No Noise" television show.

"[T]o tell people that we're going to force the American government to do what Somalia wants, and what's in the best interests of Somalia," he added. "You know, my advice to her is if she wants to be a part of that government, go back to Somalia and sign up or whatever form of government they have. But when you're here, and you're in the United States of America, especially when you're a representative in Congress, this is America First."

Speaking in the Somali language over the weekend, Omar condemned Somalia's neighboring nations, saying "Ethiopia and Kenya have stolen and continue to occupy the Somali Region state, which belong to Somalia... We will liberate the occupied territories stolen from i.e. Somalia, Djibouti, Somaliland, and the North Eastern Province (in Kenya) that belong to Greater Somalia," she went on, according to a translation of the footage posted by the Ambassador at Large of the Republic of Somaliland. She further vowed to influence the U.S. government to support Somalia's interests.

Somaliland is a de facto independent state loosely corresponding to the borders of the former British territory of the same name. It does not enjoy international recognition and is officially part of Somalia.

"For as long as I am in the US Congress, Somalia will never be in danger, its waters (Indian Ocean) will not be stolen by Ethiopia or others. The US would not dare to support anyone against Somalia to steal our land or oceans. Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system," she went on.

Omar appears to have condemned the video's interpretation, saying on X that "[i]t's not only slanted but completely off, but I wouldn’t expect more from these propagandists."

"I pray for them and for their sanity. No nation state can survive if its states start to get involved in land lease negotiations with other countries without the consent of the federal government. Somalis in Somalia and in the diaspora are united in that effort and I stand in solidarity with them. No amount of harassment and lies will ever change that," she continued.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.