Washington, – A heated exchange erupted Wednesday between Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) after Mace suggested Omar could be deported to Somalia, drawing sharp pushback from the Minnesota Democrat.
Mace, who is pushing a resolution to censure Omar and remove her from committee assignments, accused Omar of “defaming” conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan. Mace also highlighted a 2022 post where Omar argued the First Amendment does not shield people from social consequences such as public condemnation.
“If you are celebrating death, maybe Somalia will take you back,” Mace wrote on X, escalating her attacks.
Omar, who came to the United States as a Somali refugee, fired back: “I know you are neither well nor smart, but I hope someone explains to you there is no connection between my committee assignments and deportation. Whatever happens to those committees, I will remain a Member of Congress.”
The clash quickly spiraled. Mace doubled down, writing: “A one-way ticket to Somalia with your name on it, Ilhan Omar.” Omar later replied that Mace belonged in a “rehabilitation center, not Congress.”
Mace has continued pressing her campaign, calling for Omar to be stripped of her seat and even questioning her U.S. citizenship. Meanwhile, Florida Republican Randy Fine joined the criticism, claiming Omar “never should have been brought into our country.”
Omar defended her past comments about Kirk, saying she had described his death as “horrific” and criticized his history of downplaying police brutality and defending gun rights. She accused Mace of weaponizing the censure resolution to raise money for her gubernatorial campaign.
The House is expected to take up Mace’s censure resolution by Wednesday, forcing a vote on Omar’s future in congressional committees.
