To me, patriotism does not mean being unconditionally loyal to the president — true patriotism means fighting for our country and the dignity and human rights of all of our people, no matter what.
Donald Trump, of course, would disagree as long as he’s in office — and he made that all the more clear on Friday when he attacked me, again, at a press conference, saying I don’t “love our country” — and laughed when someone in the audience appeared to call out, “Send her back!”
Trump’s attacks against our movement go beyond his racist dog whistles behind his podium — his mega-donors are pouring millions of dollars into this primary to unseat me and reverse the progress we’ve fought so hard for together. And they are dead-set on unseating the rest of the Squad, including my sister Rashida Tlaib, who is up against corporate interests in her primary this week.
Just weeks ago, the GOP had a full-on meltdown when I called for an end to all systems of oppression in the United States, because their powerful corporate donors stand to profit from the pain of the marginalized. Then, a sitting Congressman was so threatened by this movement that he harassed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the Capitol steps, calling her a “b*tch” because she dares to speak truth to power.
It’s no surprise that corrupt Republican politicians, including Donald Trump, are offended by progressives like us who dare to call out the systemic inequalities in our country — but our movement will never apologize for fighting to secure basic human rights like healthcare, housing, clean water, and a living wage for every single person in the country we love and call home.
Thank you for acting in solidarity with the Squad and believing in the future we’re fighting for together.
Ilhan Omar
