Rep. Ilhan Omar denied that Democratic voters are celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, despite evidence of backlash against those who have mocked his death.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota and member of the progressive group known as “the Squad,” has refuted claims that Democratic voters are celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In a recent interview, Omar was confronted with questions regarding the rhetoric surrounding Kirk’s death and whether she believed there was a celebration of political violence among Democratic constituents.
In video footage obtained by Fox News Digital, Omar was asked directly about her concerns regarding the Democratic base’s response to Kirk’s assassination. When pressed on whether Democratic voters were celebrating political violence, Omar responded, “I don’t think anybody is.” This assertion comes despite a growing number of professionals across various sectors facing repercussions for mocking or praising Kirk’s death.
Professionals from K-12 education officials to healthcare workers and political commentators have experienced backlash for their comments regarding Kirk’s assassination. Notably, the law firm Perkins Coie, which is associated with major entities like the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, has also been implicated in this controversy.
Following Kirk’s assassination, lawmakers from both parties have condemned the rise of political violence. However, contentious moments have still surfaced in Congress. On the day of Kirk’s death, a moment of silence in the House Chamber turned chaotic when Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of South Carolina requested a spoken prayer in addition to the silent tribute. This request was met with protests from Democratic members, some of whom reportedly shouted about the lack of attention given to a school shooting that occurred on the same day as Kirk’s assassination. In response, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, shouted back, “You all caused this.”
When Omar was asked why Democrats did not offer a prayer for Kirk, she stated, “We did a moment of silence; nobody prays on the House floor for anybody who has passed away.” Her comments reflect a broader tension within Congress regarding how to address the implications of political violence.
Omar is currently facing efforts from Republican lawmakers to strip her of her committee assignments, stemming from her comments about Kirk shortly after his assassination. In an interview with the progressive news outlet Zeteo, Omar criticized Kirk’s legacy, stating that he had previously “downplayed slavery and what Black people have gone through in this country by saying Juneteenth shouldn’t exist.”
Omar further elaborated on her views, asserting that many who claim Kirk wanted to engage in civil debate are ignoring the documented history of his words and actions over the past decade. “There are a lot of people who are out there talking about him just wanting to have a civil debate,” she said. “There is nothing more effed up, you know, than to completely pretend that, you know, his words and actions have not been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so.”
In her remarks, Omar also took aim at GOP figures who have criticized Democrats for their rhetoric following Kirk’s assassination. “These people are full of s—,” she stated. “And it’s important for us to call them out while we feel anger and sadness, and have, you know, empathy, which Charlie said, ‘No, it shouldn’t exist,’ because that’s a newly created word or something,” referring to Kirk’s comments about “hate speech.”
The ongoing debate surrounding Kirk’s assassination and the subsequent reactions from both sides of the political spectrum highlight the increasingly polarized nature of American politics. As discussions continue, the implications of political violence remain a pressing concern for lawmakers and citizens alike.
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