LS ‘ “IF YOUR ALLEGIANCE LIES ELSEWHERE — SO SHOULD YOUR SEAT.” With that, Senator John Kennedy detonated the chamber. In a blistering floor speech, he accused AOC’s Squad of “selling out America” and demanded the immediate expulsion of 14 naturalized lawmakers. Gasps. Shouts. C-SPAN shattered records as Kennedy read names live, folder in hand. No flags but ours. The full list and transcript are in the comments’

“No Flags But Ours”: Senator John Kennedy Sparks Firestorm in Congress, Calls for Expulsion of 14 Naturalized Lawmakers

Washington, D.C. — In an explosive floor speech that sent shockwaves through the Capitol and dominated headlines nationwide, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) took direct aim at members of Congress whom he accused of harboring foreign allegiances, singling out naturalized lawmakers and members of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s progressive “Squad” in a bold call for immediate expulsion.

The dramatic speech, delivered during a live C-SPAN broadcast, quickly shattered viewership records as Kennedy unfurled what he described as a “national security crisis hiding in plain sight.” With fiery rhetoric, a dramatic flourish, and pointed accusations, Kennedy laid out his case for the “Born in America Act,” a controversial proposal that would restrict eligibility for federal office to only those born on U.S. soil.

“If your allegiance lies elsewhere — so should your seat,” Kennedy thundered, brandishing a thick folder labeled “Born in America Act” as audible gasps rippled across the Senate floor.

Accusations of Divided Loyalties

The senator’s remarks targeted what he called a “coalition of foreign-funded loyalists masquerading as public servants.” While Kennedy did not provide immediate evidence on the floor, he claimed that multiple members of Congress, primarily those who immigrated to the U.S. and later gained citizenship, have “demonstrated repeated sympathy for foreign regimes, NGOs with questionable funding, and policies that put America last.”

Though he avoided naming all individuals initially, Kennedy eventually began reading from a list of 14 names, prompting visible distress among staffers and outrage from several Democratic lawmakers. AOC (Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY), shouted across the aisle in protest, accusing Kennedy of “McCarthyism wrapped in nationalism.”

“You don’t get to decide who’s American enough to serve,” she said, raising her voice over the commotion.

The Born in America Act: A New Political Fault Line

At the heart of the controversy is the “Born in America Act,” a bill Senator Kennedy introduced that would bar naturalized citizens from serving in Congress or holding certain federal security positions. The legislation, if passed, would mark a radical departure from existing norms — and a direct challenge to the constitutional protections granted to all citizens, regardless of their birthplace.

Kennedy, however, remained defiant, suggesting the bill is necessary to “preserve the integrity of our democracy from quiet infiltration.”

“This is not about race or immigration,” he argued. “It’s about allegiance. The Constitution is not a passport for globalist operatives.”

His statement drew both thunderous applause from some corners of the chamber and stern condemnation from others, especially lawmakers representing immigrant communities.

C-SPAN Feed Surges as Nation Watches

As Kennedy’s voice echoed through the chamber, viewership on the C-SPAN broadcast spiked in real time. According to preliminary metrics, the speech attracted one of the largest live audiences in the network’s history. Social media platforms lit up as clips went viral within minutes, drawing both support and backlash from across the political spectrum.

Hashtags like #NoFlagsButOurs and #KennedyBlacklist began trending on X (formerly Twitter), igniting fierce debates over national identity, representation, and the line between patriotism and nativism.

Critics Call It Unconstitutional, Dangerous

Legal scholars and civil rights advocates were quick to denounce Kennedy’s proposal. “The Constitution explicitly allows naturalized citizens to serve in Congress,” said Professor Amelia Hart from Georgetown Law. “This bill, and the rhetoric surrounding it, is not just unconstitutional — it’s dangerously exclusionary.”

Others framed it as part of a broader trend of anti-immigrant sentiment in American politics. “This isn’t about loyalty; it’s about control,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), herself a naturalized citizen and one of the lawmakers believed to be on Kennedy’s list. “Our stories, our backgrounds — they’re part of America’s strength, not its weakness.”

GOP Reaction: Split and Strategized

Within the Republican Party, Kennedy’s speech revealed a growing divide. While hardline nationalists and populists rallied behind him, moderates appeared uneasy with the proposal.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) offered cautious praise: “I support strong vetting and loyalty to the Constitution, but we need to be careful not to undermine what makes this country unique — the ability for immigrants to rise to the highest levels of public service.”

Others, like Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), embraced the idea more directly, saying, “It’s time we asked harder questions about where people’s priorities truly lie. Kennedy is starting that conversation.”

The Squad Responds

Backed by supporters, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) issued a joint statement shortly after the speech, calling it a “dangerous escalation of white nationalist rhetoric in the halls of power.”

“We were elected by the people of this country. Period. Any attempt to strip naturalized citizens of their rights is not only unconstitutional — it’s un-American,” the statement read.

What Comes Next?

While the chances of the Born in America Act passing both chambers remain slim, the political and cultural aftershocks of Kennedy’s speech are expected to reverberate for weeks. The issue has already begun shaping talking points ahead of the 2026 midterms, especially in battleground districts with large immigrant populations.

Analysts suggest the move may be part of a broader GOP strategy to rally nationalist sentiment amid growing dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s border policies.

Still, the implications go far beyond short-term politics. The speech has reopened old wounds in America’s ongoing struggle to define who gets to be seen as fully American — and who decides.