Revoke Ilhan Omar's Citizenship:

Upholding the Sacred Oaths of Allegiance in Our Constitutional Republic

A Profound Betrayal

In the hallowed halls of American democracy, where the echoes of the Founding Fathers still resonate, we find ourselves confronted by a profound betrayal. Representative Ilhan Omar, a naturalized citizen sworn to defend the United States Constitution, has repeatedly demonstrated loyalties that prioritize Somalia over the nation she pledged to serve. Her public statements, including declarations that her primary allegiance lies with Somali interests, constitute a direct violation of both her naturalization oath and her oath of office. It is high time to enforce the full weight of our laws: revoke her citizenship, strip her of her congressional seat, and deport her to Somalia. This action is not mere retribution; it is a necessary safeguard for the integrity of our representative republic, where elected officials must embody unwavering fidelity to the Constitution.

Evidence of Divided Loyalties

The premise is straightforward and damning. During a January 2024 speech to Somali constituents in Minneapolis, Omar proclaimed in Somali that she would advance Somalia's interests in Congress, stating, "The interests of Omar are that of the Somalian people and Somalia." This was no mistranslation or slip of the tongue; multiple accounts, including conservative outlets like the Heritage Foundation, have highlighted her boastful admission of a "Somalia-first" agenda. She has referred to Somalia's president as "my president" and vowed to protect Somali territorial claims against Ethiopia, even as she undermines American border security. These are not the words of a patriot; they are the confessions of someone who views her congressional role as a vehicle for foreign advocacy. In a republic founded on the principle that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed, such divided loyalties erode the very foundation of trust between representatives and constituents.

Violation of the Naturalization Oath

Consider the naturalization oath Omar took in 2000, as mandated by 8 U.S.C. § 1448. She solemnly declared: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; and that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic." This oath is no mere formality; it is a binding covenant, the breach of which invites denaturalization under 8 U.S.C. § 1451. The Immigration and Nationality Act empowers the Department of Justice to revoke citizenship if procured by "concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation." Omar's actions fit this criterion precisely. By concealing her enduring allegiance to Somalia during naturalization and subsequent congressional swearing-in, she misrepresented her fidelity to the United States. Precedent abounds: In Kungys v. United States (1988), the Supreme Court upheld denaturalization for misrepresentations that affected eligibility, emphasizing that even non-material lies under oath can undermine the process if they reflect deceitful intent. Similarly, Maslenjak v. United States (2017) clarified that any false statement under oath during naturalization, if it influences the outcome, warrants revocation. Omar's own words betray her: she did not renounce Somali sovereignty in spirit, only in letter, rendering her citizenship illegally procured.

Violation of the Oath of Office

Her oath of office, sworn under Article VI, Clause 3 of the Constitution, compounds this perfidy. As a member of Congress, Omar affirmed: "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same." This clause binds all federal officers to the Constitution as the supreme law, prohibiting any act that subverts its principles. Violations are not abstract; they trigger severe consequences. The Supreme Court in Ex parte Garland (1866) ruled that oaths serve as safeguards against disloyalty, and breaches can disqualify one from office. More pointedly, 5 U.S.C. § 7311 criminalizes advocacy for overthrowing the constitutional form of government by oath-bound officials, punishable under 18 U.S.C. § 1918 with fines or imprisonment. Omar's prioritization of Somali claims over U.S. interests echoes this: her efforts to thwart American alliances in the Horn of Africa, as seen in her opposition to the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal, suggest a willingness to undermine U.S. foreign policy for foreign gain.

Historical and Legal Precedents

Historical precedents underscore the gravity. During World War II, the Justice Department denaturalized over 20,000 individuals under the 1906 Naturalization Act for concealing Nazi affiliations, a process rooted in the same fraud provisions Omar invokes. In Schneiderman v. United States (1943), the Court protected citizenship absent clear evidence of disloyalty, but Afroyim v. Rusk (1967) affirmed that while birthright citizenship is inviolable, naturalized status demands proof of attachment to constitutional principles. Omar fails this test. Her rhetoric, including dismissing America's preservation as a "white nation" as "disgusting," and her association with anti-American sentiments, mirror the subversive affiliations that justified revocations in cases like United States v. Baumgartner (1944), where post-naturalization Nazi advocacy led to denaturalization.

The Path Forward: Enforcement and Consequences

The path forward is clear and constitutional. The U.S. Marshals Service must apprehend Omar for trial in federal court, as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 566 for enforcing federal laws. Prosecutors should charge under 18 U.S.C. § 1425 for unlawful procurement of naturalization, requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Conviction triggers automatic revocation and deportation under INA § 237(a)(1)(D). Congress, meanwhile, can expel her under Article I, Section 5, as it did Adam Clayton Powell in 1967 for corruption. This dual process ensures due process while purging disloyal elements.

Addressing Criticisms and Broader Implications

Critics may decry this as xenophobic, but such charges ring hollow against the Constitution's demand for undivided allegiance. Theodore Roosevelt warned, "We have room for but one flag, the American flag... and one sole loyalty, to the American people." Omar's own constituents on X echo this: "Ilhan Omar has pledged her allegiance to Somalia... She should be removed, deported a long time ago." In a post-9/11 world, where national security hinges on vetting representatives, we cannot tolerate those who mock our sovereignty.

Our republic thrives on stringent vetting, as Alexander Hamilton argued in Federalist No. 68: electors must discern "the persons who have the best claim to the public confidence." Omar's tenure mocks this ideal. By revoking her citizenship, we honor precedents from Trop v. Dulles (1958), which barred citizenship as punishment absent intent to expatriate, but affirmed denaturalization for fraud. We reaffirm Bond v. Floyd (1966), protecting speech unless it evinces disloyalty incompatible with office. And we protect the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause by ensuring it is not a shield for subversion.

A Call for Integrity

This is not about ethnicity; it is about fealty. Naturalized citizens like Omar must prove their loyalty through actions, not excuses. Failure demands consequences. Let the Marshals act, the courts convene, and justice prevail. Only then can we restore faith in a government of, by, and for the American people. Vote for integrity; demand Omar's deportation. Our Constitution compels no less.