Ilhan Omar, Democratic representative from Minnesota, expressed her condemnation of the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum on Thursday via the social platform X, following a segment on “Fox & Friends.” She did not respond to inquiries about her immediate emotional reactions to the incident.
In her statement, she mentioned, “I was deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and loved ones.”
Omar highlighted, “Violence has no place in our country.”
Later, when asked by a reporter outside the Capitol if she would comment on the shooting in Washington, D.C., Omar simply replied, “I’m heading out now.”
Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt, reacting to the clip, noted with disbelief, “She didn’t even say, ‘I feel for the families.'”
Many right-leaning commentators criticized Omar’s response. One remarked, “Ilhan Omar refuses to condemn the assassination of an Israeli diplomat in D.C. last night. She has an anti-Israel stance that warrants her return to Somalia.”
Republican lawmakers have taken aim at Omar, a Muslim and naturalized citizen, for her pro-Palestinian views amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Brandon Gill, a first-term GOP representative from Texas, has even initiated a petition calling for Omar’s deportation in solidarity with other immigrants.
Omar has been vocal against President Trump’s deportation policies, co-signing a letter with fellow members of Congress and advocating for the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian promoter of rights.
