Democrat Rep. Delia Ramirez (D., Ill.) is locked into a fierce fight with the White House over controversial remarks at the second annual Panamerican Congress held in Mexico, including declaring, “I’m a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.” Ramirez does not deny making the remarks but insists that there is a double standard for “my white colleagues [who] identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry.”Ramirez was also criticized for her criticism of the United States as being “addicted to war” and threatening the world with its “imperialism, militarization, conquest, control, competition in its attempt at domination.”
The White House criticized Ramirez as well as the appearance of other high-profile Squad members, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA): “These Democrats’ comments are despicable and underscore their commitment to putting Americans last.”
The comments of Ramirez have clearly struck a nerve on both sides. For my part, I am very proud of both my Irish-Sicilian background. My Sicilian grandparents came to this country at the turn of the century. They were deeply proud of their heritage but always insisted that their children identify as Americans first and foremost. As I discuss in my forthcoming book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution (Simon & Schuster 2026), we share a common identity of a people who are joined by core principles of liberty and individual rights. This country is unique because it is composed largely of people who came here to embrace a new identity of shared values.
I was surprised that Ramirez did not simply say that ranking was a poor choice of words. There is a difference between calling oneself a Guatemalan-American and saying that you are Guatemalan first and an American second. She has often publicly discussed how she is “the wife of a DACA recipient. I am the daughter of Guatemalan working immigrants,” including a mother who crossed the Rio Grande while pregnant. It is a harrowing story of many who came to this country to seek a new identity and a better life. My grandparents came to this country in the filthy hold of a wooden ship where immigrants died and two gave birth. What drove them was the promise of a new start in a nation based on freedom and opportunity. This country has never had prouder Americans.
The anger over Ramirez is not about how she defines herself, but about what it is to be an American. It is a shared identity, an article of faith that defines us all. That does not mean that Ramirez does not love this country. You can criticize this country and still love it. However, she should also realize how her ranking insults many citizens who cherish their heritage but embrace their core identity as Americans.
Unfortunately for her, she is not the least bit impressive in any way. Reading a speech in front of a friendly audience is her optimum role. She is feeble in debate, easily thrown off by counter arguments. By defining herself as a doctrinaire socialist, anti-american, and Guatemalan, she is more likely to lose rather than win votes. She likely was elected on the mere basis that she has a Hispanic name and is a Democrat. Now she has given the voters a clearer idea of who she is, and her priorities, and offered multiple points of attack for future opponents. This will not help Republicans in corrupt Illinois, but the WH calling her out, and her reflexive “doubling down”, shows voters nationwide what the Democratic Party stands for, and when fellow Dems come out on her behalf, it will increase the effect. They are too stupid to distance themselves from her. In a week or 2 she will walk it back with a whiny weasel words about how she was unfairly taken out of context. The likeliest outcome is that she will be cut loose in favor of a less-brazenly stupid candidate. By 2030 she will not even be a footnote, completely forgotten.
“Unfortunately for her, she is not the least bit impressive in any way. ”
But is she terrific? 🤣
Stating that I am Irish/American usually only refers to my fondness for corned beef and cabbage and that I might where something green on St Patrick’s Day. I nevers means that I would vote to promote Ireland. The reason that my ancestors came to America was to avoid the Irish government. This unfortunate tool of the dems actually believes that her oath to this nation is pre-empted by her love of Guatemala – a nation to which she should return if her love of it is still so intense. By that logic, one should ask her why she came to America in the first place – just to enrich herself and her family? She shows that she would not be willing to die for America if it were in a war with Guatemala – thus rendering her (by reason of her own words) a traitor to this nation and she should be treated as such. And I do believe that the same standard should be applied to all the islamists in this nation who swear their first allegiance is to the nation of islam.
Clearly, Rameriz voiced her value – the clear differentiation and commitment to a Socialist philosophical framework that posits individuals’ consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender freedoms and submit to the authority of the State – and her value allows her to define which State to which she elects to surrender her freedom (and those she rules).
Well spoken DoubleDutch. My “indoctrinated” mottos are; Personal: Pro Deo, Foco et Domo, Familia et Patria (For God, Hearth and Home,
Family, and Country), Family: Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage grows strong at a wound), Clan: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one provokes me with impunity).
Personally, I’m unwilling to subjugate myself or God, Hearth and Home, Family, and Country to Guatemala as Rameriz has done, nor will I assume it is her “democracy” right as a leader to mandate thus.
HOWEVER, each of these clearly prioritize where your heart exists – in this article’s case, Country. For me it is hard to blame Ramirez because she is following the culture indoctrinated for the last 16 years by the Oligarchical/Autocratic “leadership” who have obscured their own tyranny using division by hatred and a systematic approach to classify and identify individuals and groups as subordinate – and the indoctrinated minds have lost sight of the fact those making the accusation were the ones actually ACTING in the manner they accused the hated group. Example: “You have to hate THEM (or anyone who you identify as sympathetic to an antagonist) because THEY are acting like Nazis”
TMI:
Socialist philosophical framework posits individuals’ consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender freedoms and submit to the authority of the State.
Versus, of course:
“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The Democrat have identity problems. They don’t know what a woman is, a man, or gender in general. They don’t know what an insider trading is, who can vote, who gets what constitutional rights, and even what plain old corruption is. Now they don’t understand what an American is. Is anyone truly surprised?
The group that hates America more than any other are MAGAs. They put their loyalty to Trump above all.
“The group that hates America more than any other are MAGAs. They put their loyalty to Trump above all.”
You’re beyond pathetic. What part of “Make America Great Again” are you having trouble understanding?
Another low IQ dem….
MAGA
For four years, we watched the Democrats kick Trump around like a junkyard dog. That bred sympathy, not loyalty.
That’s silly. First because it’s not relevant to the discussion, second because if you actually listened to people in the MAGA movement they are very critical of Trump when he goes off his campaign promises (as he has been doing lately). I’m afraid you’re the one who is fixated on Trump.
The House of Representatives is authorized by the Constitution to determine the eligibility of its Members after they are elected by their Districts.
The House should convene to determine if this individual, based on her declaration of loyalty to Guatamala over her loyalty to America, is Constitutionally elibigle to serve in Congress.
Bernie Schriver
Educational/Public-Affairs Consultant
I understand being proud of her heritage. We all should be proud of who we are. We are all different and we all have our stories. But I question her loyalty to the United States of America, whos she represents. As a representative of our beautiful country, her loyalty HAS TO BE to AMERICA first most and foremost. We CANNOT have representatives who put America second to any other country.
After what We (the US) did in Guatemala during the Iran-Contra, Contra-Sandino/El Sal-Nicaragua, Oliver North’s War that made it into the Laos of Central America. Guatemalan’s paid the price and showed the loyalty worthy of US Representation. Allies of our Country that participate in good faith should be rewarded and recognized, not dismissed as spent weapons in the war against Communism. CIA operations that ‘never were’ does not exempt the People of a country and dismiss their their patriotic contribution to America.
Ask: Would a South-Vietnamese-American House of Representative receive the same treatment?
“Ask: Would a South-Vietnamese-American House of Representative receive the same treatment?”
If they were running around calling themselves solely Vietnamese, then yes.
And if you’re actually complaining about keeping communists out of power, I just have one thing to say to you: You’re welcome
“… The anger over Ramirez is not about how she defines herself, but about what it is to be an American. It is a shared identity, an article of faith that defines us all. That does not mean that Ramirez does not love this country. You can criticize this country and still love it. However, she should also realize how her ranking insults many citizens who cherish their heritage but embrace their core identity as Americans. …” – JT
“citizens who cherish their heritage” what People today do not know nor understand are the facts of CIA Wars that Never Were.
South-Vietnamese-American, Guatemalan-American “Heritage” includes the recognition of the Fights that ‘Were’ that makes America Great.
Do not summarily dismiss it with a gee “You’re welcome,/b>”, particularly when it was Langley’s Mess to begin with. These people have a Heritage that’s relative to the modern American revolution.
I don’t care about your personal war against the CIA. I’d wager that nobody here does.
Your UnAmerican, the war is not against the CIA, it’s the fight against ‘the attrition of good Allies’ that get swept under the carpet.
You better spend sometime figuring out who’s friend and foe.
I don’t care what you think of me. And what has Guatemala ever done for us?
To Anonymous: at 10:50 AM
Well then, In the world according to You, Israeli-Americans should be on the next flight outta here back to the Homeland.
Your antisemitic overtones dictate that the Pro-American Allies such as Israel, Guatemala, etc. should be excluded from the conversation (Disappeared).
Israeli-Americans and our Representatives in Congress quite often speak of America in the position of a secondary State. But you would have them repressed for doing so. I guess oldmanfromkansas, UpstateFarmer, S. Meyer, and Myself will soon be sent back to where it all began.
What do You think about that?
I suppose you would want to deport the President to for making statements like this:
Trump’s Base Fragments Further As He Demands States Support Israel Or Risk Disaster Relief
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trumps-base-fragments-further-he-demands-states-support-israel-or-risk-disaster-relief
It never stops with you, does it.
America is still a Melting-Pot and it’s including more and more of the World every day.
Adapt or Die.
I don’t care what your fellow anti-semites at zero hedge have to say about anything either. Spaz harder.
Anonymous: 12:06 PM
We get that you don’t care.
Sharpen your pencil some more. Maybe you should go read Your copy of The Turner Diaries again.
Don’t even know what that is. Lame retort. I don’t care and neither does anyone else.
American Made – The True Story of Barry Seal
Delivering Guns To The Contras Scene | AMERICAN MADE (2017) Movie
America has done much recently to cause people to want to find a better heritage to refer to. No, that is not an invitation to revoke their citizenship. Revoking citizenship for opinions – or threatening to – however, is one of the things that makes the America of today feel less American and less worthy to brag about.
I’m an American who lives in Guatemala and I often declare myself 100% chapín. It is the home of my heart, full of friendly people and natural beauty. It is a rare Guatemalan who wants to move to the US. Most just want to make some money to bring home and build a house or start a business. Guatemalans, especially the Maya, are incredibly hard working while taking a real joy in their work. They are naturally conservative yet easily accepting of LGBTQ folks. When they have little they will share half with you.
Thank you for introducing me to Representative Ramirez. She sounds terrific.
“America has done much recently to cause people to want to find a better heritage to refer to”
“Thank you for introducing me to Representative Ramirez. She sounds terrific.”
You’re welcomed to take her back to her home with you.
And maybe Guatemalans should stop denigrating our country and instead try building up their own.
Yes “yea she’s terrific” and Guatemala is like Monaco.
“In fiscal year 2023, Guatemala received approximately $229.9 million in U.S. foreign aid, with an additional $256.9 million reported for fiscal year 2024 and $76.7 million for fiscal year 2025. Most of this aid is focused on economic purposes and humanitarian needs.”
“In fiscal year 2023, Guatemala received approximately $229.9 million in U.S. foreign aid, with an additional $256.9 million reported for fiscal year 2024 and $76.7 million for fiscal year 2025.”
What did Senator John Kennedy say? Why are we giving aid to countries that hate us? Why can’t these countries hate us for free?
Excellent commentary today 👍👍👍.. everything in it was a home run 🏆🏆🏆
Very clear grounds for impeachment, IMO.
Based on what? She said something you don’t like?
If her first allegiance is to any country or people other than the U.S. and it’s citizenry, she should be barred from elective office as a matter of law. If that law isn’t on the books, it should be. It may also violate her Oath of Office, in which she swore to defend our Constitution, bear “true faith and allegiance” to it.
Uh? “If that law isn’t on the books it should be”. Ya know what, you make a perfect Democrat.
It’s an exceptional case. I have proposed cash bonuses for the constituencies of the elected representative who identifies and successfully endeavors to remove the largest number of duplicative or otherwise unnecessary laws.
“Based on what? She said something you don’t like?”
Why not, you did it to Trump. Twice.
The free press has called for Trump’s impeachment because
he has said some things that they did not like.
Absolutely insulting to even attempt an excuse for this horrific demonstration of anti-American sentiment by, of all people, a US Representative! I was appalled at your attempt to do so. Hyphenated Americanism is not in keeping with our heritage. People came here TO BE AMERICAN! They were proud to be American! Hyphenated Americanism is Balkanization! Balkanization is a fatal disease in any society. Your attempt may have been to be all things to all people. Just remember, to do so is to stand for nothing. Shameful!
Of course everyone has read this quote from Teddy Roosevelt:
In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.
OLLY,
Thank you for reminding us of Roosevelt’s words.
Upstate, that’s as pure a thought on the subject as I’ve read. 👏
I thought you had to be a citizen in order to be in congress? Is she actually a citizen?
Right on, just white people should be able to run for office. No foreigners whatsoever in any American political office.
“Right on, just white people should be able to run for office. No foreigners whatsoever in any American political office.”
Nice jump in “logic” you made there, Shirley. Care to unpack that one for us? I’m guessing not. Run along now, the adults are talking.
Um… seems to be you just fell for that inane comment. You’re dummer than the commenter.
Try reading instead of emoting, and you may actually learn something.
We are going to have 3 years of Dems shouting “Look at me!” hoping for a Presidential run. Let’s run through the Dem checklist: Dark skin pigment (but could be darker), uterus, and hates America. She’s got a chance!
A womb is no guarantee. Better choose a “woman” in full possession of penis and testes.
Preferably a member of “Queers for Palestine.”
I could say many things regarding her comment and the comments of many of the non-white representatives but they probably would be considered (their favorite chestnut) racist. These non-white ‘s come to this nation specifically to take from her riches and opportunities that are/were nonexistent in their homeland. They disparage this nation and the great white people who love this nation. They attack white people verbally and physically, they incite violence against white people. If you feel so strongly that this nation and the white people who inhabit this nation are so bad, why don’t you leave and return to your roots, why? These people should be removed from office for violating their oath of office.
What is she doing serving in the leading position of this country? She needs to go back to her own country. If that is her first country of choice. America stands for the American people and obviously she is not an American. She is a Guatemalan. All four of my grandparents came from other countries. Their number one rule is that you learn the English language and that is the language of choice to use in this country. My grandparents spoke Italian in the house because their English was not that good but they insisted that all of their children speak only English Unless they are with family. That’s the way it should be if you’re in this country and you’re serving this country. This is your number one country. Otherwise go back to where you came from and into the country that you claim is your number one country.
Strange-My ancestors were French, English, Scottish and Irish. All were happy about being here and being an American. None of us went to Irish, Scottish, British or French celebrations. We had no times for that.
Did attend a Guy Fawkes day bonfire once set up by a neighbor who was from Wales and also a Dean of the nearby Vet School. He came to the US to study but then became a proud citizen of the US. Delightful Gentleman. He once returned to the UK with a bunch of American Veterinarians. They were all together on a train as they pursued their tour. He related his conflict as to whether he sat quietly on the train like a Brit or should join the rest of the Americans in a boisterous party on the same train. He joined the party because he enjoyed the fun of touring the UK as an American.
As far as the Guatamalan-American, maybe her district should think about how she will truly represent the interests of Americans and the US. Seems she is somewhat cloudy on the concept. Maybe she should pursue a different line of work. She needs to be reminded that her oath of office pledges full allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, not Guatamala.
This from The Federalist today:
It’s time to recognize this for what it is and put an end to it. There was a time in America, and not that long ago, when we expected that immigrants would take on an un-hyphenated American identity. They would not be Somali-Americans or Pakistani-Americans, but simply Americans. We have to get back to that way of thinking. The preservation of our distinctly American nation depends on it.
https://thefederalist.com/2025/08/05/if-an-immigrant-leaves-the-u-s-indefinitely-how-american-are-they/
As a fellow Sicilian-American who’s grandparents arrived in America about the same time as yours, well said Professor Turley
Both sets of my grandparents were immigrants, legal. Yes, they were proud of their heritage but they were more so to be Americans.
It could also be Ramirez is trying to deflect how her state of IL is yet another failed, Democrat controlled state.
And people think that somehow this party will actually do well in the midterm elections. I can’t think of much else they could do at this point to drive voters away from their madness.