Senator John Kennedy’s unvarnished response to the progressive ‘Squad’—labeling them “fools” who “hate America”—has ignited a national debate over patriotism, political discourse, and the fundamental question of allegiance for those serving in the U.S. Congress.
The Louisiana Senator’s remarks were direct, bypassing the usual political euphemisms to voice a sentiment that resonates powerfully with millions of American patriots: if elected officials fundamentally despise the country they represent, they should step aside.
The controversy centers on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and her progressive allies (AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley), collectively known as the “Squad,” whose rhetoric has consistently been criticized for questioning American values, denigrating national institutions, and minimizing historical tragedies.
I. The Brutal Truth: Calling Out the ‘Fools’
Senator Kennedy began his critique by addressing a comment made by the former President, who had previously tweeted a harsh sentiment directed at the progressive Congresswomen. While acknowledging that the original tweet contained a “poor choice of words,” Kennedy quickly pivoted to endorse the core message: “If you’re not happy in America, leave. Just leave.”
Kennedy framed his statement as a necessary response to what he views as a fundamental intellectual and moral failure by the Squad.
“I consider Congresswoman Omar, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, Congresswoman Tlaib, Congresswoman Pressley… I consider them to be fools,” Kennedy stated.
His condemnation was based on a clear interpretation of their political ideology: “They hate America. They think America was wicked in its origins, and it’s even more wicked today.”
Kennedy argued that instead of using their platform to constantly criticize and degrade the nation, these elected officials “ought to be thanking America” for the opportunities and freedoms the country afforded them, particularly in the case of Ilhan Omar, who came to the U.S. as a refugee.
This critique hit a crucial nerve with the American public, tapping into deep frustration over what is perceived as constant, ungrateful negativity directed at the very nation the Congresswomen serve.
II. Betrayal of Platform: The Case of Ilhan Omar
The focus quickly turned to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whose biography—a refugee granted freedom, safety, and the opportunity to rise to Congress—provides the ultimate counterpoint to her rhetoric.
Kennedy argued that Omar, who gained prominence and power thanks to American democracy, now uses her platform to accuse the U.S. of being “racist, wicked, and evil.”
“Folks, that’s not courage. That’s betrayal,” Kennedy stated, nailing the central argument of his takedown. He questioned the logical dissonance of an elected official holding such disdain for the government they are sworn to uphold.
This sentiment directly addressed the rationale behind Omar’s removal from the House Foreign Affairs Committee—a move based on integrity and principle, not just political maneuvering. Critics, including former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, made it clear that the Foreign Affairs Committee requires members who defend American interests and ideals globally. When Omar’s past remarks—which included anti-Semitic comments and minimizing the 9/11 attacks—were resurfaced, her fitness for representing America on the world stage was deemed unacceptable.
Kennedy’s message was simple: You need people who actually love this country in those seats, not people who see it as a villain.
III. The Ideological Clash: Facts Versus Fantasy
The confrontation between the conservative standard and the progressive agenda highlights a fundamental ideological chasm in American politics. Kennedy presented the progressive platform—which he attributes to the Squad—as a set of extreme positions that are fundamentally out of sync with the values of most Americans:
Moral Bads: Illegal immigration, socialism, higher taxes, and abortion.Moral Goods: Free enterprise, a strong military (implied), and American exceptionalism (implied).
Kennedy asserted that the Squad is actively “destroying the Democratic party” by forcing these radical views onto the national stage. He even humorously suggested that, based on their radical policies, he would “think the members of the Squad were GOP plants” designed to ensure a Republican majority.
The core of Kennedy’s political methodology is the use of common sense and logic to dismantle arguments based on emotion and deflection, a style that stands in stark contrast to AOC’s frequent use of sensationalism and misdirection.
When the Squad is “called out,” Kennedy argues, they employ an immediate defense mechanism: crying “racism and Islamophobia.” He dismissed this as a “go-to shield” used to deflect accountability. “You don’t get to use your identity as a shield against accountability,” he stressed, arguing that the debate is about conduct, not color or creed.
IV. The Verdict of the Patriot
The reaction from the left to Kennedy’s takedown—labeling him as hateful or extreme—only served to reinforce his point. Kennedy’s words resonated deeply with millions who feel marginalized and frustrated by politicians they believe actively hate the very nation that provided them immense opportunity.
“We’re tired of politicians who hate the very soil they stand on. We’re tired of people tearing down the flag instead of standing for it,” Kennedy stated, voicing the unspoken sentiments of many proud Americans.
He acknowledged the right to free speech, but strongly rejected the notion of “freedom from consequences” for anti-American rhetoric. Omar’s removal from the Foreign Affairs Committee was, in Kennedy’s view, not just a political stunt, but a necessary statement that America will not apologize for being great and that patriotism still holds substantive meaning.
In the end, Senator Kennedy’s powerful monologue served as a rallying cry for those who believe in accountability, integrity, and common sense in Washington. The battle for America’s future, he concluded, is happening in these committee rooms, and it is being won by leaders who are brave enough to stand up and speak the plain, unvarnished truth, even when it means calling out the hypocrisy and toxic rhetoric of the nation’s most vocal political figures.