Ilhan Omar-backed mayor responds to backlash over July 4 Somalia trip with sarcastic 'apology'

LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA: Days after Nadia Mohamed, the first Somali American elected mayor of a US city, was criticized for traveling to her home country, Somalia, on July 4, America's semi-quincentennial, the mayor has offered a sarcastic apology.

The Ilhan Omar-backed mayor shared a video on her social media account, mocking outrage over her Somalia trip and sarcastically apologizing for visiting her family.

Lawmaker defends family visit during July 4 break

The controversy began after reports that Mohamed, who has been praised by Rep Ilhan Omar, D-Minn, traveled to Somalia over the Fourth of July weekend, marking America's 250th anniversary.

Citing a Somali news outlet, the report said Mohamed visited the country alongside Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed.

A video shared on the Somali president's X account highlighted the visit. According to Alpha News, photos also appeared to show Mohamed arriving to a large welcoming crowd waving American and Somali flags.

"Allow me to offer my sincerest apology for daring – for having the audacity – to take vacation time to see family members I have not seen in 10 years," Mohamed sarcastically said in a video posted to her social media accounts following criticism for not being stateside.

"Allow me to apologize for utilizing the federal holiday that we have, and the time off that we have to be able to go see my grandmothers – in which I have not seen in 10 years, in which six of those years I have worked diligently to serve the good people of St Louis Park – I am so sorry. How inconsiderate of me! How treacherous – is it treacherous? Treacherous of me!" she continued.

"If you must know, I also met with the president of Switzerland, the then-president of Switzerland, but nobody asked me about that one," she added.

"I would've loved to have told you about that. I would have loved to have had an entire news article written about that. I will do better next time. I will," Mohamed said.

Nadia Mohamed's trip was personal and privately funded

The city administration confirmed to Fox News Digital that her trip was personal, privately funded, and unrelated to city business.

However, it is unclear when Mohamed will return to the city, as she remains in Somalia, and Council Member Yolanda Farris is currently serving as the mayor pro tem.

Mohamed concluded her "apology" video by calling the complaints about her trip "bullying."

"Reading the comments on this post," she said, trying to contain her laughter, "honestly, it's the way that people do not fall for this s**t. It's the way that people do not fall for this propaganda. It is the way that people do not fall for this bullying – because that's what this is."

"It's all about clicks off the backs of hating Somali people," Mohamed argued.