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. (Emirhan Turker/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"Somaliland has charted a different course entirely, relying on internal accountability rather than international assistance and that distinction matters right now," he said.
Minnesota was engulfed in controversy after revelations that fraud losses across multiple government programs since 2018 could total billions of dollars, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Federal authorities have also already dismantled a $250 million scheme tied to the "Feeding Our Future" case, for example, which resulted in 78 indictments and dozens of convictions.
The case was described by FBI Director Kash Patel as "the tip of a very large iceberg."
'INCOMPETENCE OR DERELICTION': MINNESOTA LAWMAKER RIPS TIM WALZ AS STATE FRAUD LOSSES MOUNT
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. (Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
"Clan dynamics shape Somali politics, and that same lens appears to inform her position on Somaliland," Rubin said, arguing that Omar has opposed policies that would legitimize the breakaway region.
"American interests don’t appear to factor prominently into that calculation," he added.
Meanwhile, Somaliland continues to attract growing international attention.
After more than three decades of de facto independence, the self-governing territory has maintained internal security, built democratic institutions, and followed closer diplomatic engagement with Israel.
Somaliland has signaled interest in joining the Abraham Accords, positioning itself as a potential partner for U.S. and Israeli interests in the Horn of Africa.
Presidnent 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." (The Washington Post/Getty; Kevin Dietsch/Getty)
Trump told the New York Post he has to "study" Netanyahu's pitch and asked from his golf course, "Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?"
"We’ll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions, and they turn out to be correct," Trump said.
Rubin noted the issue could gain more momentum as Netanyahu is expected to discuss regional security matters with Trump this week.
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"The case for Somaliland does align with Trump’s broader foreign policy approach," Rubin said.
"It is business-friendly, security-focused, and takes responsibility for its own territory. It wants partnerships, not perpetual aid. By any reasonable metric, recognizing Somaliland makes sense."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Rep. Omar for comment.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ilhan-omars-somaliland-stance-slammed-minnesota-fraud-scandal-deepens