CHICAGO — Warning that death and destruction was on America’s doorstep because of its arrogance and oppression of “”God’s chosen people,”” Minister Louis Farrakhan, the controversial Nation of Islam leader, defended “”Brother Leader Moammar Gadhafi”” and called the U.S. action in Libya hypocrisy.

The more than two-hour news conference was held at Mosque Maryam, the international headquarters of the Nation of Islam, bought in 1972 with a $3 million loan from Gadhafi.

“”It is a terrible thing for me to hear my brother called all these ugly and filthy names when I can’t recognize him as that,”” Farrakhan said to the crowd of members who also attended the news conference. “”Even though the current tide is moving against him … how can I refuse to raise my voice in his defense? Why would I back down from those who have given so much?””

But it was scenes from earthquake- and tsunami-ravaged Japan, Farrakhan said, that inspired him to speak up and warn the American people about the coming earthquake that will strike as punishment for America’s arrogance.

“”A major earthquake is on the way to you and me and us,”” he said. “”Death and destruction is at the door of all of us, and we are worst prepared than the Japanese.””

Farrakhan cautioned President Barack Obama that he was being used as a pawn to oppress his own people. He insisted several times that Jews controlled the media and had pressured Obama to take so-called humanitarian action in Libya, but not in other places such as Gaza.

“”The stupid mistake we make is assuming the president is the supreme power,”” he said. “”The mad dogs are growling and grinding in Washington, D.C.,”” referring to Gadhafi’s nickname “”Mad Dog of the Middle East.””

He commended former White House correspondent Helen Thomas for her honesty and candor in recent controversial remarks about Israel’s occupation of territory claimed by Palestinians. And he commended Gadhafi for plans to nationalize Libya’s oil program to benefit his own people.

Farrakhan got into hot water in 1996 when he launched a “”friendship tour”” of Muslim nations in the Middle East and Africa. He was criticized for meeting with Gadhafi in Tripoli, where Farrakhan alleged U.S. injustices against Muslim nations.

The following year, Gadhafi, addressed Nation of Islam members via satellite, lauding Farrakhan for being a “”courageous freedom fighter”” who not only galvanized blacks at the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., in 1995, but also sparked unity rallies in Islamic communities around the world.

During that speech, Gadhafi panned America for taxing poor people, who do not benefit from exploratory trips to Mars and support of “”a Hebrew state.””

“”Consequently,”” he said, “”the voice of Louis Farrakhan will be heard among the simple people louder than the president of the United States.””