Rep. Ilhan Omar’s congressional travel expenses recently came under scrutiny after it was discovered she took a first-class trip to Cuba.  The findings come as the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are seeking to rein in the federal government and reduce wasteful spending.

Conservative commentator Paul A. Szypula broke the news on X, writing, “Hey @DOGE, why is Rep.\ @Ilhan Omar flying business/first class to Cuba instead of flying coach? Ilhan spent about $1,000 on the airfare when she could’ve easily spent half that. Imagine the cost savings if all the members of Congress were only allowed to fly coach.”

Szypula followed up in the comments section, “Does Ilhan similarly fly business/first class when a sponsor isn’t footing the bill? And what does Ilhan give the sponsor back in return when she is gifted travel? Whoever pays for it, it’s inappropriate for lawmakers to accept lavish gifts. Fly coach or don’t fly.”  The post prompted intense discourse from various other users.

One person questioned why members of Congress have business overseas to begin with. “And on WHAT BUSINESS do members of CONGRESS need to fly to foreign countries AT ALL unless proxy for the State Department @SecRubio?? Stop them from wasting our money and ask them to actually do the jobs we elected them to do,” they asked.

Similarly, another person questioned, “What is a Minnesota Congresswoman doing in Cuba? I need her itinerary, agenda, meeting notes and follow up data. Foreign relations are the responsibility of @SecRubio not a Somali American anti-American politician. She has stated her allegiance and it’s to Somalia, not America and not Minnesotans.

@RepMTG I know you introduced sanctions against @Ilhan shouldn’t this also include trips to Communist countries. How many of her team and security traveled with her? Where’d they stay? Who’d she meet with There needs to be full transparency for any congressional or senator who engage in foreign relations that are not directly in alignment with the goals of @POTUS and the American people. We must have a deep understanding and respect for the entire body of government. All need to act in accordance with one another.

“I think the more appropriate question would be: Why are we paying for a representative of this country to go overseas? Congress and Senate focus should be the homeland. If they want to take international flights, they should be one way flights and revocation of their citizenship,” yet another user asked, maintaining that Congress should be focused on their American constituents.

Voicing their concerns about the trip, one person posted, “I have questions… Why kind of official business does a Minnesota congresswoman & her “husband” have in Cuba? How is a “walking tour of old Havana” any kind of official business? All her “business” was on the 1st day but she stayed for 3 days. Why? 3 nights cost $660??”  They added, “AND what is a US congresswoman doing meeting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Is this not a violation of the Logan Act?”

Watch Rep. Brandon Gill discuss his suggestion of deporting Ilhan Omar on CNN below: