Rep. Ilhan Omar’s opposition to recognizing Somaliland has drawn criticism amid expanding fraud probes in Minnesota. Analysts say alleged corruption tied to Somali communities in Minnesota underscores governance differences between Somalia and Somaliland. Somaliland has maintained relative stability, developed democratic institutions, and pursued diplomatic ties — including recognition from Israel — prompting renewed debate in Washington over formal recognition.
Ilhan Omar Criticized Over Somaliland Position As Minnesota Fraud Investigation Widens
Daily life continues at the heart of the Horn of Africa as it draws attention to Africa's longest coastline and its strategic location in Mogadishu, Somalia on Aug. 20, 2025.
Rep. Ilhan Omar’s opposition to formal recognition of Somaliland and her defense of Somalia’s territorial claims have come under renewed criticism as federal and state authorities expand probes into alleged large-scale fraud tied to communities in Minnesota.
Analysts Draw Contrast Between Somalia And Somaliland
Some analysts argue that the unfolding fraud investigations in Minnesota highlight governance differences between Somalia and Somaliland — the self-declared state that has operated with de facto independence for decades. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told Fox News Digital that stressing those differences "mattered."
FBI Director Kash Patel stands silently during a press conference on Oct. 23, 2025, in New York City.
"The corruption exposed in Minnesota mirrors the governance failures that have plagued Somalia for decades," Rubin said. "Somaliland has charted a different course entirely, relying on internal accountability rather than international assistance and that distinction matters right now."
Minnesota Probe: Scope And Developments
Reporting in the Wall Street Journal and subsequent federal investigations indicate that fraud losses across multiple government programs in Minnesota since 2018 could total in the billions. Prosecutors have already dismantled a separate $250 million scheme tied to the "Feeding Our Future" case, yielding 78 indictments and dozens of convictions.
That prosecution was described by FBI Director Kash Patel as "the tip of a very large iceberg." The controversy resurfaced after a viral video shared by independent commentator Nick Shirley showed shuttered daycare centers that reportedly billed government programs millions while appearing to serve few, if any, children.
Rep.Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said she has no regrets about supporting the MEALS Act during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the program becoming linked to Minnesota’s alleged $250 million "Feeding Our Future" fraud scheme.
Omar's Position And Critics' Arguments
Omar has defended her support for the MEALS Act, legislation critics say reduced oversight safeguards and may have been exploited by fraudulent operators. Beyond the legislative debate, Rubin and others contend Omar’s broader stance on Somalia and Somaliland may be influenced by Somali political dynamics.
"Ilhan Omar left Somalia, but Somalia never left her," Rubin said. "In her Somali-language speeches, she refers to Somalia as her home, not America, and so it is clear she appears to seek to advance Somalia’s interests on the global stage."
Rubin argued that clan dynamics within Somali politics help explain Omar’s resistance to policies that would validate Somaliland, and he suggested U.S. strategic interests do not appear to be the primary driver of her position.
President Trump suggested earlier this month that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who fled Somalia as a child, "shouldn't be allowed to be a congresswoman."
Somaliland's International Push
Meanwhile, Somaliland — which has functioned with relative stability, built democratic institutions, and pursued diplomatic ties independently of Mogadishu — has attracted international attention. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had established full diplomatic relations with Somaliland, making Israel the first United Nations member state to recognize the self-declared territory.
Reports also indicated that former President Donald Trump expressed interest in studying recognition of Somaliland. Supporters argue that Somaliland’s record on security and governance, along with its interest in the Abraham Accords, makes it a potential partner for U.S. and regional interests.
What’s Next
The debate over Somaliland recognition has entered broader U.S. policy conversations as investigators continue to pursue fraud cases in Minnesota. Fox News Digital has reached out to Rep. Omar for comment. The situation remains fluid as legal and diplomatic developments continue to unfold.
