Ilhan Omar’s Somalia stance attracts scrutiny as Minnesota fraud scandal grows

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Rep. Ilhan Omar ’s protection of Somalia’s territorial claims and her opposition to the popularity of an unbiased Somaliland has been criticized as authorities ramp up investigations into alleged mass fraud in her residence state.

One analyst argued the corruption scandal allegedly involving Somali communities in Minnesota is related when contrasting failures in Somalia and the soundness of Somaliland, an autonomous area that Omar has opposed recognizing.

Michael Rubin, a senior fellow on the American Enterprise Institute, claimed highlighting the distinction between the 2 areas "mattered."

"The corruption uncovered in Minnesota mirrors the governance failures which have plagued Somalia for many years," Rubin advised Fox Information Digital.

INSIDE MINNESOTA’S $1B FRAUD: FAKE OFFICES, PHONY FIRMS AND A SCANDAL HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Each day life continues on the coronary heart of the Horn of Africa because it attracts consideration to Africa's longest shoreline and its strategic location in Mogadishu, Somalia on Aug. 20, 2025. (Emirhan Turker/Anadolu through Getty Photos)

"Somaliland has charted a distinct course totally, counting on inside accountability quite than worldwide help and that distinction issues proper now," he mentioned.

Minnesota was engulfed in controversy after revelations that fraud losses throughout a number of authorities packages since 2018 may complete billions of {dollars}, in response to a Wall Street Journal report.

Federal authorities have additionally already dismantled a $250 million scheme tied to the "Feeding Our Future" case, for instance, which resulted in 78 indictments and dozens of convictions.

The case was described by FBI Director Kash Patel as "the tip of a really giant iceberg."

'INCOMPETENCE OR DERELICTION': MINNESOTA LAWMAKER RIPS TIM WALZ AS STATE FRAUD LOSSES MOUNT

FBI Director Kash Patel stands silently throughout a press convention on Oct. 23, 2025, in New York Metropolis. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty)

The scandal gained renewed consideration over the weekend after unbiased commentator Nick Shirley posted a viral video displaying shuttered daycare facilities that had billed the federal government thousands and thousands of {dollars} whereas showing to serve few, if any, youngsters.

Omar has since defended her support for the MEALS Act, laws critics say weakened oversight safeguards later exploited by fraudulent operators.

Rubin, nevertheless, argues Omar’s broader worldview on Somalia additionally raises questions on her objectives.

"Ilhan Omar left Somalia, however Somalia by no means left her," Rubin mentioned. "In her Somali-language speeches, she refers to Somalia as her residence, not America and so it's clear she seems to hunt to advance Somalia’s pursuits on the worldwide stage."

He claimed Omar’s opposition to recognizing Somaliland is pushed by inside Somali politics quite than U.S. strategic interests .

WHISTLEBLOWER WARNS MASSIVE FRAUD IS HAPPENING IN OHIO SOMALI COMMUNITY, MINNESOTA ‘JUST TIP OF THE SPEAR’

Rep. Ilhan Omar , D-Minn., mentioned she has no regrets about supporting the MEALS Act through the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of this system changing into linked to Minnesota’s alleged $250 million "Feeding Our Future" fraud scheme. (Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune through Getty Photos)

"Clan dynamics form Somali politics, and that very same lens seems to tell her place on Somaliland," Rubin mentioned, arguing that Omar has opposed insurance policies that will legitimize the breakaway area.

"American pursuits don’t seem to issue prominently into that calculation," he added.

In the meantime, Somaliland continues to draw rising worldwide consideration.

After greater than three a long time of de facto independence, the self-governing territory has maintained inside safety, constructed democratic establishments, and adopted nearer diplomatic engagement with Israel .

Somaliland has signaled curiosity in becoming a member of the Abraham Accords, positioning itself as a possible companion for U.S. and Israeli pursuits within the Horn of Africa.

MISSPELLED ‘LEARNING’ CENTER, NO CHILDREN INSIDE: EMMER PRESSES WALZ OVER MINNESOTA DAYCARE TIED TO $4M

Israel and Somaliland signed a joint settlement to acknowledge the nation's sovereignty and open diplomatic relations. (Benjamin Netanyahu through X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced that Israel had established full diplomatic relations with Somaliland, describing the transfer as being within the spirit of the United States-brokered Abraham Accords.

The announcement made Israel the primary UN member state to acknowledge the self-declared state, which has needed international acceptance for over three a long time.

"The extra folks study Somaliland’s file, the extra they'll query why the U.S. continues to ship billions to Somalia’s internationally acknowledged authorities whereas overlooking a extra dependable companion," Rubin added.

President Trump was additionally reportedly "trying into" the popularity of Somaliland in August.

BESSENT TURNS UP HEAT ON SPRAWLING MINNESOTA FRAUD SCHEMES AS TREASURY PERSONNEL DEPLOY ON THE GROUND

President Trump prompt earlier this month that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who fled Somalia as a baby, "should not be allowed to be a congresswoman." (The Washington Submit/Getty; Kevin Dietsch/Getty)

Trump advised the New York Submit he has to "research" Netanyahu's pitch and requested from his golf course, "Does anybody know what Somaliland is, actually?"

"We’ll research it. I research lots of issues and at all times make nice choices, and so they become right," Trump mentioned.

Rubin famous the difficulty may acquire extra momentum as Netanyahu is predicted to debate regional security matters with Trump this week.

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"The case for Somaliland does align with Trump’s broader overseas coverage method," Rubin mentioned.

"It's business-friendly, security-focused, and takes accountability for its personal territory. It desires partnerships, not perpetual support. By any affordable metric, recognizing Somaliland is smart."

Fox Information Digital has reached out to Rep. Omar for remark.

Emma Bussey is a breaking information author for Fox Information Digital. Earlier than becoming a member of Fox, she labored at The Telegraph with the U.S. in a single day workforce, throughout desks together with overseas, politics, information, sport and tradition.