Minnesota Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar, a refugee from Somalia, believes that the United States of America, the nation where her family fled, is becoming one of the worst countries in the world, yet she chooses to stay.
In a recent interview with Democracy Now, Omar pointed out that U.S. troops were sent to put down protests in Los Angeles during the same week the Trump administration held a massive military parade to celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Army.
“Can you imagine that image that is going to be coming out of our country? I mean, I grew up in a dictatorship, and I don’t even remember ever witnessing anything like that,” the representative said, referring to Somalia.
“To have a democracy, a beacon of hope for the world, to now be turned into one of the, you know, one of the worst countries, where the military are in our streets without any regard for people’s constitutional rights, while our president’s spending millions of dollars propping himself up like a failed dictator with a military parade — it is really shocking,” she said.
“It should be a wake-up call for all Americans to say, ‘This is not the country we were born in. It’s not the country we believe in. 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,’” the woman, who was not actually born in the United States, said.
“And we should all collectively be out in the streets, rejecting what is taking place this week,” she said.
“I think the person who is in the process of destroying our country should look in the mirror and that’s Trump,” she said. “And notice that he is the one that has hatred for the values that we have here in America and everything that we have built. The reality is protest, dissent, is constitutionally protected that is everybody’s First Amendment right in this country.”
The Minnesota Democrat and Squad member faced immediate backlash on X for her comments.
“She wasn’t born here at all,” one X user said.
“The hyperbole here is appalling, made worse by her astounding ingratitude,” Fox News contributor Guy Benson said.
“[I]f people are seriously offended by a parade for the first time in decades, then go outside and touch some grass,” OutKick contributor David Hookstead said. “We have the greatest military on the planet, and we shouldn’t ever apologize for it. After all, our men died to try to protect innocent lives in Somalia. I guess that sacrifice just doesn’t matter to Congresswoman Omar.”
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is preparing to announce a 2028 run for the U.S. Senate against Sen. Lisa Murkowski, according to several sources close to the governor who spoke exclusively to Fox News this week.
The move would place him against Murkowski, who has repeatedly clashed with President Donald Trump and is often viewed as one of the most moderate Republicans in Congress. Dunleavy, by contrast, has been a strong Trump ally since 2016, Fox News
“He’s not going to quit his term,” a top source close to Dunleavy, who previously worked with him in Juneau, told Fox News Digital. The source stressed that Dunleavy intends to complete his time as governor before seeking higher office.
The last governor to leave office early to pursue national ambitions was Sarah Palin, who resigned in 2009. “She never recovered,” the source said.
Dunleavy has earned a reputation for avoiding Washington’s spotlight but producing results in Alaska. “He’s not about an ego and pushing himself in front of the cameras. He gets stuff done,” the source said. “He doesn’t like the cocktail parties and photo ops.”
Even so, those close to him say he understands that “being in Washington is the only way to get things done.” While he has joked that he prefers Alaska’s Arctic landscapes to “all this concrete” in Washington, he recognizes the need to represent the state at the national level.
Dunleavy was the second governor to endorse Trump in 2016 and has been one of the most frequent governors to visit the White House despite the 3,500-mile distance. “Trump has talked to him before about running and wants him to run,” the source said.
Dunleavy also attended Trump’s Aug. 15 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, further underscoring his role as one of the president’s key allies in Alaska.
Winning as a Republican in Alaska has historically been difficult. Former Gov. Jay Hammond was the last to win re-election in 1978. Sean Parnell, who became governor after Palin’s resignation, did not win re-election outright.
Still, Dunleavy is seen as a formidable candidate. “A lot of people have mentioned this (race) to him and … I think it is a very viable option for him,” another source told Fox News Digital.
“Obviously there are a lot of frustrations with Sen. Murkowski,” the source added, noting her tense relationship with Trump. “Gov. Dunleavy has been not only a successful governor, but a strong ally for him. So it’s only natural that he’d be hearing that from Alaskans — but also from folks in the broader MAGA movement.”
Dunleavy, like Murkowski, has succeeded under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, which critics say has benefited Democrats. But unlike her past challengers, sources say he has broad support outside conservative circles.
He is also respected among Native communities across the North Slope and rural Alaska, where he has focused on energy development, infrastructure, and rural education. Those ties could prove critical in a statewide race where the Native vote has often played a decisive role.
“Murkowski has never faced a challenger like him,” another source said. “He’s built support that goes beyond just conservatives.”
A top Alaska political analyst agreed. “Conservatives would welcome an opportunity to unseat Murkowski,” the analyst said Thursday. “The fact that Trump and Murkowski have had such a strained relationship and Dunleavy and the president (have) a good relationship is really what has led us to this point.”
Murkowski, the daughter of former Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, has shown her resilience in the past. She famously won a write-in campaign in 2010 after losing the GOP primary to Tea Party candidate Joe Miller. But analysts say Dunleavy would represent her most serious threat yet.
The 2028 matchup would pit two of Alaska’s most prominent figures against each other: Murkowski, the entrenched moderate with a family legacy in Alaska politics, and Dunleavy, the Trump-aligned governor who has drawn support across communities.
When my mother passed away, she left me her beloved lake house — a peaceful place filled with memories of summers spent painting by the water and sharing blueberry pancakes at sunrise. It became my sanctuary, a place I protected fiercely, especially after my father remarried a woman named Carla. Carla never missed a chance to belittle my mom’s simple, artistic life, often with sarcastic remarks disguised as sweet words. While she redecorated our home to fit her taste, I made it clear that the lake house was off-limits to everyone but me.
On the anniversary of my mother’s passing, I arrived at the lake house expecting quiet reflection but instead found loud music, strangers on the deck, and Carla hosting a party. My heart sank when I saw my mom’s handmade pillow being used as a footrest. I didn’t confront her then, but I knew she had stolen the key. With the help of my lawyer, I gathered proof from the security cameras and even discovered texts where Carla mocked my mother and referred to the lake house with cruel nicknames.
When confronted, Carla dismissed my feelings, claiming it was “just a gathering” and that I was “dwelling in the past.” However, the evidence spoke for itself. In court, her actions were undeniable, and she faced legal consequences, including a restraining order and charges for trespassing and property damage. My father was devastated when he saw the truth and ended his relationship with her soon after.
Today, the lake house remains my peaceful escape, secured with new locks and a stronger security system. While Carla’s betrayal hurt, it also gave me the strength to stand up for myself and my mother’s memory. Every time I sit on the porch and watch the sunrise over the water, I’m reminded of my mom’s words: “Still waters, strong heart.” Her legacy lives on — safe, loved, and cherished forever.
Across various cultures, hummingbirds are seen as more than just beautiful creatures — they are deeply symbolic. These tiny, energetic birds often carry meanings tied to joy, hope, and spiritual messages, especially when they appear unexpectedly in someone’s life.
In many Native American traditions, the sighting of a hummingbird is considered a powerful sign. These birds are thought to bring blessings, signaling the arrival of good luck and prosperity. Their presence can uplift the energy of a home, infusing it with positivity and warmth.
When a hummingbird appears near a window or garden, it is often viewed as more than coincidence. Many people interpret these visits as signs that good news or new opportunities are on the horizon. The sudden arrival of such a vibrant creature is seen as a hopeful omen for the near future.
Beyond luck and fortune, hummingbirds are also regarded as spiritual messengers. In various belief systems, especially those that honor ancestral connections, a hummingbird’s visit is thought to represent contact from a loved one who has passed on.
These fleeting encounters — the way a hummingbird hovers for just a moment — are seen as a gentle reminder that those who are gone are still watching over us. Their appearance can be comforting, like a brief whisper from the spiritual world, offering reassurance and love.
Ultimately, whether they are viewed as bringers of joy or as symbols of deeper spiritual truths, hummingbirds hold a special place in the hearts of many. Their small size and quick movements belie a powerful message: that beauty, hope, and connection can appear when we least expect them.
My father prioritized his own freedom instead of supporting me—and I’m still coming to terms with it
When my dad sold his motorcycle shop after 50 years and bought a Harley for a solo retirement trip, I felt abandoned. At 42, buried in bills and trying to buy a condo, I couldn’t understand why he chose freedom over helping me. I expected support—but he chose himself.After Mom died, I thought he’d settle down. Instead, he returned to his biker roots. When I asked for help, he reminded me he’d already given me a solid foundation. This trip, he said, was a promise to Mom—to keep living fully. The night he left, I was angry.