Over the past few days or so, we have witnessed U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar’s public meltdown and outrage aimed at President @realDonaldTrump in general, and @elonmusk in particular. This follows the much publicized global suspension of USAID operations, leaving many Americans wondering, why, after all, it is not like USAID operates within the United States or in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which Congresswoman Omar represents in the U.S Congress.
It is also well known there are no USAID-funded meals-on-wheels programs in Minneapolis, no scholarships for underprivileged youth, or any other notable philanthropic initiatives supported by the agency in her constituency. So why the dramatic response?
The answer is simple: USAID operates in #Somalia, Ilhan Omar’s country of birth and those operations align and support Omar’s “Somalia First” agenda, propping up a weak, highly corrupt, and ineffective government in Mogadishu—who received billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars just in the past four years.
As a congresswoman, Omar played a pivotal role in securing much of that funding, with USAID acting as the primary vehicle for its management and distribution in Somalia.
Now, its suspension—and possible permanent closure threatens everything she has worked to build but this also affects her in other ways.
First, it diminishes her influence among one of her core constituents—Somalian voters in Minnesota, where her advocacy for everything Somalia has been a central pillar of her political identity.
Second, it undermines and threatens the survival of her “Somalia First” policy, which has long relied on the generosity of American taxpayers through USAID.
Third, it deprives Omar of a platform to champion an outdated and militant ideology rooted in Somali irredentism: the dream of Somaliweyn, a vision to unite all Somali-speaking people in the Horn of Africa under one flag— through violence and conflict.
But what does the United States gain in return for this massive financial commitment?
The harsh reality is nothing—except corruption, dependence, and even more corruption. It is well-documented that food aid intended for drought victims, funded by USAID, has been routinely diverted and sold on the black market by Mogadishu elites. Rations meant for Somalia’s fledgling army have also surfaced in local markets, sometimes even sold at discounted rates to Al-Shabaab terrorists.
This is sadly, the bitter truth and the reason behind Omar’s televised meltdown as we witness the unraveling of Omar’s carefully crafted pet project fueled at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.
Walahi ilin iga timid xanuunka gabadhaasi dareemayso wan la dareemay samir iyo iimaan abaayo Rabbi janadii Fardoowasa Ha Ka Warabiyo Dadku Ku Dhintay Dagaalka
Thi is realy so sad 😢
#Warsaney imisaan kulaha nabada taager ma maantaad ogaatay oo isoo calaacalaysa??
@AliSamattar sidee wax ujiraan sulthan gurigan rerku ka samri la yay muxu ahaa?? 🤣🤣
🚨It is a shame for the first time in Somali tribal warfare that a clan(Darood) has brought a Jamaican Yardie to defend themselves against a fellow Somali tribe(Habar Jeclo)
The Warsangeli are enlisting Jareers now😂
50 years from now the jareer/darood cubs will roam our lands
Waxaan u sheegaya Shacbiga SL. In aanay wakhti iskaga loomin HSM iyo Huwanta isku dayaya in ay ka hortagaan Ictirafka JSL: marka hore Qadar Ilaahay cidna isma joojin karto, ta labada Mareeykan dantisa Somalia oo dhawan map ka adunka ka baxaysa u joojin mayo.
Waxaa inala gudboon in aynu gudaheen midayeeno iyo in aynu u isku diyaar garowno sidii aynu daris lama ilaawanas siin la heen Hadhaga Faqash, G21 Ee u so buaya dhulkeena siipa Ceerigavo
Guush inaga leh, insha Allah