Rand Paul: Ilhan Omar Deserves 'Rebuke' for Saying America is 'a Rotten Country'

Senator blasts radical Democrat for 'bitterness and anger toward the country'

© press Sen. Rand Paul says Ilhan Omar deserves 'rebuke over trying to say we have a rotten country’

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has blasted controversial Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), saying she deserves to be rebuked for her ongoing criticism of the United States and the American people.

Senator Paul has joined the widespread condemnation of Somalia-born lawmaker Omar, describing her as "unappreciative" of the United States, which took her and her family in as refugees in 1992.

Paul, a Kentucky Republican, says he is “dumbfounded” by the Minnesota congresswoman’s “angry story.”

Speaking during an interview with Wave 3 News, Paul said Rep. Omar “has this bitterness and anger toward the country.

“I think she does deserve a rebuke over trying to say we have a rotten country.”

In support of President Donald Trump's criticisms of the Mogadishu-born freshman lawmaker, Paul said:

“I’m sort of dumbfounded how unappreciative she is of our country.”

© press Ilhan Omar is a member of the so-called AOC Squad of controversial Democrats

According to the Washington Examiner, Paul, both an ally and sometime critic of Trump, added; “She says this is terrible, a place without justice and all this.

"She’s a congresswoman.

"She got here as a refugee 20 years ago.

"She’s elected to Congress.

"I can’t imagine a better country that elected her to congress and she badmouths our country.”

Trump stirred up controversy over the weekend when he tweet-attacked Omar and three other "progressive" House Democrats, also known as the "AOC Squad."

Trump tweeted, “So interesting to see ‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly...and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run.

"Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how…”

It was directed at Omar, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.

Only Omar is foreign-born.

© press Trump accused Ilhan Omar and being 'anti-USA, pro-terrorist'

Omar has been critical of Trump, U.S. institutions and Israel, often winning rebukes from her own party.

Paul said instead of being angry, Omar should be grateful to the U.S., and he cited another Somali family as an example to follow.

“I know this Somali family that came about the same time [as Omar] to Bowling Green, and it’s just this dramatic story of hope and wonder,” Paul told Wave 3 News.

“Those are the stories, but it’s not this angry story.”