Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee who built her political career in the United States, is once again facing controversy after stating that the country her family fled to for safety is “becoming one of the worst countries in the world.”

In an interview with Democracy Now, Omar sharply criticized the Trump administration, drawing parallels between authoritarian regimes and recent U.S. actions. She pointed to the deployment of troops to quell protests in Los Angeles during the same week as a military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

“Can you imagine that image that is going to be coming out of our country?” Omar asked. “I grew up in a dictatorship, and I don’t even remember ever witnessing anything like that.” For her, the contrast between military presence in American streets and a celebratory display of force was more than symbolic—it was, as she put it, “a wake-up call.”

She condemned the use of military force against civilians, saying it contradicted the nation’s founding ideals. “This is not the country we believe in,” Omar said. “This is not the country our Founding Fathers imagined, and this is not the country that is supported by our Constitution, our ideals, our values.”

Omar placed the blame squarely on former President Trump. “I think the person who is in the process of destroying our country should look in the mirror — and that’s Trump,” she said. She urged Americans to take action, stating, “We should all be out in the streets, rejecting what is taking place this week.”

Her comments sparked swift backlash, especially among conservatives. Critics accused her of exaggeration and ingratitude, with some even calling for her deportation or resignation. Despite the criticism, Omar has shown no sign of retracting her statements or leaving the United States.