Ilhan Omar lashes out at constituent at town hall meeting, somehow makes Ukrainian suffering about herself: 'Unless you are someone like me ...'



A recent town hall meeting left Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) railing about Russian "internet disinformation" and calling some of her own constituents "dangerous propagandists."

On Thursday, Omar held a town hall meeting where at least one constituent shared his concerns about America's continued financial support for the war in Ukraine.

An account called "Jose Vega — Vote Diane Sare!" shared a video of the incident on Twitter.

"JUST IN: Anti War Protester confronts #SquadMember @IlhanMN on her funding of the Ukrainian War that is leading us into nuclear war," the tweet with the video reads. "She was part of the cowardly 30 who rescinded the letter calling for diplomatic talks with Russia!"

\u201cJUST IN: Anti War Protester confronts #SquadMember @IlhanMN on her funding of the Ukrainian War that is leading us into nuclear war. She was part of the cowardly 30 who rescinded the letter calling for diplomatic talks with Russia!\u201d
— Jose Vega \u2014 Vote Diane Sare! (@Jose Vega \u2014 Vote Diane Sare!) 1666923635

The unidentified man in the audience openly criticized Omar for voting to fund Ukrainian forces, even as her party's traditional platform eschews American intervention in foreign wars.

"You are supposed to be a progressive Democrat," the unnamed audience member shouted while Omar was speaking. "Anti-war. Anti-war! Eighty billion to Ukraine is not anti-war!"

When Omar replied that the U.S. funding helped Ukrainians defend themselves, the man claimed that Ukraine, under the direction of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was "killing its own citizens."

Omar then pivoted to position herself as a victim and to seemingly co-opt some of the Ukrainian suffering as her own.

"We are helping little children like me," said the Democrat, who just celebrated her 40th birthday a few weeks ago.

A few moments later, Omar became angry with the man, who continued to argue with her. She once again turned the subject back to herself and told her constituents that they have little right to weigh in on the votes she casts on their behalf.

"Unless you are someone like me that has been that child," she yelled, "you do not get to tell me what my votes mean and how I get to vote in supporting people who desperately need ..."

Audience clapping rendered the rest of her statement inaudible.

After the meeting was over, Omar continued to attack her anti-war critics online, calling them "dangerous propagandists" who spew Russian "disinformation."

"I am sorry, you all aren’t 'anti war protesters'," she said, quote-tweeting Vega, "you are dangerous propagandists who are literally making a mockery of the anti war movement. I have never had the pleasure of responding to [Russia's] ridiculous internet disinformation in person before. Thank you for the opportunity."

"I am amazed at the nerve that some people have to not be upset with the country literally waging war, but at the country defending itself and those helping them do that," she added in another tweet. "I was even told by one of these people tonight, 'it’s America that started the Russia war', seriously wtf."

Despite her current support, Omar initially expressed skepticism about America's role in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and voted against a Ukrainian aid package back in early February. The U.S. has since sent tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine.

Omar's contentious town hall marks the second time in recent weeks that a member of the Squad has been confronted about her support for funding the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was similarly challenged about her pro-war voting record at a town hall event.

Diane Sare is an obscure New York politician from the LaRouche Party who is trying to unseat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is widely expected to be reelected in November.

Arrest of House Dems takes new turn, AOC admits far-left group asked lawmakers 'to submit themselves for arrest'



Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) forcefully denied Wednesday that her arrest outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday was "performative art."

But information on social media suggests the incident was not organic — but completely staged.

What are the details?

About 30 minutes before the arrests of pro-abortion protesters outside the Supreme Court — which included more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers — a staffer for Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) bragged on social media about the plan.

"Members of Congress, including @IlhanMN will be participating in a civil disobedience at the Supreme Court, potentially including arrests, shortly. 1 PM ET/12 PM CT," staffer Jeremy Slevin tweeted, explaining the incident would be live-streamed.

Once Capitol police briefly detained Omar, Slevin published video of her via the livestream.

The arrests, in fact, were the entire point of the demonstration — and Ocasio-Cortez admitted as much on Wednesday.

"This was an activist-led civil disobedience, where activists & organizers from [the far-left Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund ] + others asked members of Congress to submit themselves for arrest in front of the Supreme Court," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Instagram.

The Washington Examiner described the Center for Popular Democracy Action Fund as a "progressive dark money group funded by billionaire George Soros." CPD Action Fund is the sister organization of Center for the Popular Democracy.

Ocasio-Cortez then claimed what happened "is very different than a 'publicity stunt' planned and led by members themselves for a headline."

She is right. But it was a publicity stunt nonetheless, planned by activists to raise money for abortion rights.

In fact, CPD Action celebrated the arrests on Facebook and directed supporters to an immaculately designed landing page about the incident, urging supporters to donate money.

"Moments ago, leaders from CPD Action network organizations, members of Congress & more participated in a powerful civil disobedience demonstration & got arrested to protect our RIGHT to SAFE & LEGAL abortions," the Facebook post read. "This is a clear message to SCOTUS and lawmakers that #WeWontBackDown until ALL pregnancy-abled people are treated as full human beings with the autonomy to make decisions about OUR OWN bodies."

What did the Capitol Police say?

Technically, the lawmakers and everyone else detained during the protest were arrested, but none were handcuffed. They were also fined.

"As is standard for peaceful, planned protests, those who were arrested were ticketed and released on site," a Capitol police spokesperson told the Washington Examiner.

"Nobody was handcuffed, as is standard for a noncustodial arrest. Everyone was arrested for Crowding, Obstructing, or Incommoding (DC Code § 22–1307)," the spokesperson added. "They have up to 15 days to pay a $50 fine or they can have a hearing."

Airline passengers sing Christian worship songs throughout cabin. Rep. Ilhan Omar is upset, prompting social media to ask, 'Why do you hate Christians?'



Viral video showed the moment proud Christians began worshipping on a flight from the U.S. to Germany, according to reports.

What are the details?

TMZ reported the video originated from a since-deleted Facebook post by Jack Jensz Jr., who is purported to be a pastor and founder of Kingdom Realm Ministries.

In the video, shared by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), two people can be seen walking the aisle of what is reported to be an EasyJet flight to Europe.

The two can be heard singing while one plays the guitar, leading others in their seats to join in on the worshipping.

According to a report from the Daily Dot, Jensz posted the same video to his Instagram page earlier this month.

“#Jesus is taking over this Flight,” he wrote in the video’s caption, the outlet reported.

According to TMZ, Jensz and Kingdom Realm Ministries were traveling across Europe to support Ukrainian refugees when the impromptu worship service broke out.

Jensz's wife, Lilly, appeared to corroborate the reports through her Instagram posts.

In one post, the Jenszes can be seen with a vast quantity of groceries. The photo is captioned, “Church, because of your generosity, we were able to supply a van full of medicine, food, hygiene products to two pastors who host refugees in their cities from Eastern Ukraine as well as help their congregation and city as products are impossible to get now in their area. They were overwhelmed with your generosity! We are continuing to pray for Ukraine and doing what we can to help.”

What else is there to know about this?

On Saturday, Omar shared the video to Twitter and captioned it, "I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?"

At the time of this reporting, Omar's tweet has received more than 21,000 comments and has been viewed more than 32 million times.

I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?pic.twitter.com/5696Erwsl5
— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1650165166

Her remarks drew heavy criticism.

"Why do you hate Christians, Ilhan?” Georgia House candidate Vernon Jones asked. “If the freedom of religion we enjoy here in America disturbs you, feel free to pack your bags and head back to Somalia, Sudan, or wherever you’re from. Take your brother with you.”

Former congressional candidate Buzz Patterson added, "I spent decades flying in the Middle East. We weren’t even allowed to bring Bibles into the countries or worship. This sort of impromptu singing would turn into arrests and imprisonment. I’ll celebrate our freedoms here. You do you"

Florida congressional candidate Jose Castillo wrote, "In America, Muslims can & do pray in public. If she wants a country where Christians aren’t allowed to do the same @IlhanMN should go back to her own country.

Cicely Davis, who is running against Omar for the Minnesota seat, added, "Qatar — a country you’re very familiar with — plays Islamic prayers on the intercom before takeoff on their planes. They have a designated prayer area & coordinates for Mecca are posted on the screens. It’s no problem. The issue is you hate Christians & Jews & lots of Muslims."

Twitter user and filmmaker Jonathan Kołodziej Durand chimed in on the conversation and said that he witnessed the group ministering to Ukrainians earlier in the month.

He wrote, "I just spent a week volunteering at the train station in Przemysl, Poland, right across from the Ukrainian border & saw the same people there. They were playing to Ukrainian refugees stuck waiting hours for transportation, who'd just fled from the bombing of Kharkiv & Mariupol."

I just spent a week volunteering at the train station in Przemysl, Poland, right across from the Ukrainian border & saw the same people there. They were playing to Ukrainian refugees stuck waiting hours for transportation, who'd just fled from the bombing of Kharkiv & Mariupolpic.twitter.com/yXjtlUhAPv
— Jonathan Ko\u0142odziej Durand (@Jonathan Ko\u0142odziej Durand) 1650217740

Ilhan Omar accuses Jewish Democrats of not being 'partners in justice' and says she doesn't regret comparing the US to terrorists



Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was pressed by CNN's Jake Tapper on Tuesday about her recent controversial statements and she doubled down in response.

Omar was asked if she regretted comparing the United States and Israel to Hamas terrorists and she said she did not regret saying it, despite having walked back the comments after being criticized by others in her party.

"Do you regret these comments?" asked Tapper.

"I don't," she responded. "I think it's really important to think back to the point that I was trying to make. Obviously, I was addressing Secretary of State Blinken."

Representative Ilhan Omar says that she does not regret her comments comparing the United States and Israel to Hama… https://t.co/xVyHfjKvyi
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) 1625005237.0

"The cases are put together in front of the [International Criminal Court]. ICC has been investigating, I know that, you know, some of my colleagues don't lend legitimacy to the ICC, but I tend to think that people around the world who have experience with injustice, need to be able to have a place where they can go," she continued.

"And as a country that helped found the ICC and supported it," she added, "I think it is really important for us to continue to find ways in which people can find justice around the world."

Omar was also pressed during the interview about comments she made about Jews that many called anti-Semitic, and she blamed Jewish Democrats for not being aligned to her political agenda.

"Do you understand why some of your fellow House Democrats especially the Jews find that language anti-Semitic?" asked Tapper after listing examples of Omar's controversial speech.

Wow -- Rep @IlhanMN tells @jaketapper that Jewish Democrats have not been "partners in justice" or sufficiently com… https://t.co/rx1AYTWajg
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) 1625011177.0

"I have welcomed any time, you know, my colleagues have asked to have a conversation, to learn from them, for them to learn from me," Omar responded.

"I think it's really important for these members to realize that they haven't been partners in justice, they haven't been, you know, equally engaging in seeking justice around the world. And I think I will continue to do that. It is important for me as someone who knows what it feels like to experience injustice in ways that my colleagues don't to be a voice in finding accountability," she added.

Omar's comments garnered renewed ire from groups opposing anti-Semitism.

"Shocking - Ilhan Omar refusing to take ANY accountability for her obscene antisemitism," tweeted Stop Antisemitism.

"Instead she has the audacity to blame Jewish members of Congress. When will this vile bigot finally be censured and properly reprimanded by her party? Enough is enough!" they added.

Hamas says it 'highly appreciates' Rep. Ilhan Omar's remarks condemning US, Israel — then rebukes her



Hamas, the Gaza-based terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip, released a statement Friday thanking Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) for "defending justice and the rights of the oppressed."

What did Omar say?

The Minnesota Democrat found herself in hot water this week after she lumped together the United States, Israel, Afghanistan, Hamas, and the Taliban as countries and organizations guilty of committing "unthinkable atrocities."

"We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban," Omar said Monday.

How did Hamas respond?

Hamas, which is officially classified by the U.S. government as a "foreign terrorist organization," released a statement Friday both thanking and condemning Omar.

Despite approving of Omar's pro-Palestine stance, Hamas rebuked Omar for equating Israel and "U.S. aggression" to "the resistance of the Palestinian people," suggesting that Hamas is on the side of good and they should not be conflated with their enemies.

The statement read, in part:

The remarks made by US congresswoman Ilhan Omar are very peculiar; she equated between the victim and the executioner when she treated the resistance of the Palestinian people, the Israeli crimes in Palestine, and the US aggression in Afghanistan as an equal footing.

Hamas highly appreciates Omar's stances in support of justice and the rights of the oppressed around the world, foremost among them is the just rights of the Palestinian people. However, it is unacceptable to make such an unfair comparison, which contradicts with basic norms of justice and international law.

Anything else?

Not only did Omar's comments invoke condemnation from Republicans and, ironically, an actual terrorist group, but even Democrats — including party leadership — believe Omar's conflation of Israel and the U.S. with terrorists was unacceptable.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) released a statement Wednesday along with 11 other House Democrats rebuking Omar's comparison.

"Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided. Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at best discredits one's intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice," the statement said. "The United States and Israel are imperfect and, like all democracies, at times deserving of critique, but false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups. We urge Congresswoman Omar to clarify her words placing the US and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban."

In response, Omar accused her colleagues of engaging in islamophobia.

"It's shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for 'clarification' and not just call," Omar said. "The islamophobic tropes in this statement are offensive. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable."

It’s shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for “clarifica… https://t.co/0yzw8jNaQ0

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) 1623300196.0

Omar later clarified her remarks.

"On Monday, I asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken about ongoing International Criminal Court investigations," Omar said Thursday. "To be clear: the conversation was about accountability for specific incidents regarding those ICC cases, not a moral comparison between Hamas and the Taliban and the U.S. and Israel. I was in no way equating terrorist organizations with democratic countries with well-established judicial systems."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that no disciplinary action will be taken against Omar.

'Open brawl': House Dems rip Rep. Omar for equating US, Israel, and Hamas — with some reportedly calling her an 'anti-Semite.' Omar claps back.



Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) upset a lot of people this week when she equated the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban. It turns out it wasn't just Republicans who are calling her out for her remarks.

A dozen of her fellow U.S. House Democrats issued a statement Wednesday night criticizing her statements. And now a report has surfaced that the split between Omar and Democratic caucus is more significant than previously reported, with some Democratic lawmakers reportedly calling her an "anti-Semite" privately.

What did Omar say?

In a Monday tweet, Omar claimed the U.S., Israel, Hamas, and the Taliban have all committed "unthinkable atrocities" and human rights abuses.

"We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity," she said.

The tweet included a clip of Omar questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken how those who perpetrate human rights abuses — including, she said, Hamas, the Taliban, and Israeli security forces — will be held accountable.

Omar's tweets and questions for Blinken came in the wake of thousands of Hamas rocket attacks against Israel in May, to which Israel responded with targeted air strikes. During the conflict, Omar accused Israel of committing war crimes.

How did her Democratic critics respond?

On Wednesday, 12 Democratic representatives, led by Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider, issued a statement condemning Omar's accusations.

"Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided," the statement began. "Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at best discredits one's intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice."

"The United States and Israel are imperfect and, like all democracies, at times deserving of critique, but false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups," the dozen Democrats concluded. "We urge Congresswoman Omar to clarify her words placing the US and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban."

Schneider was joined by Democratic Reps. Jake Auchincloss (Mass.), Ted Deutch (Fla.), Lois Frankel (Fla.), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.), Elaine Luria (Va.), Kathy Manning (N.C.), Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Dean Phillips (Minn.), Kim Schrier (Wa.), Brad Sherman (Calif.), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.).

@RepAuchincloss, @RepTedDeutch, @RepLoisFrankel, @RepJoshG, @RepElaineLuria, @RepKManning, @RepJerryNadler,… https://t.co/07cQ7UpmTm

— Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) 1623294169.0

Things, however, are reportedly worse than even that statement let on.

According to Punchbowl News, the fallout from Omar's actions "has erupted into an open brawl" and the "fight threatens to leave a deep divide among Democrats." It could even cost Omar her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Punchbowl reported that a group of Jewish Democratic lawmakers met on a call Wednesday and were listening to a speaker address concerns about the right's anti-Semitism. The discussion, however, "quickly turned to Omar's recent remarks and what they should do in response."

This is not the first time Democrats have had to contend with Omar's anti-Semitic rhetoric, the outlet noted, citing the March 2019 anti-bigotry resolution the House was forced to pass in response to her multiple contentious statements.

Apparently, Omar's schtick is wearing on some of her liberal colleagues, as a "number of Omar's fellow Democrats believe Omar is an anti-Semite," Punchbowl reported, "even if they don't say so publicly."

Omar claps back

The left-wing Minnesota lawmaker did not take kindly to the Democrats' Wednesday statement about her latest remarks.

She went on Twitter to rip her fellow lawmakers for their "islamophobic tropes" and their "constant harassment & silencing."

"It's shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for 'clarification' and not just call," she said. "The islamophobic tropes in this statement are offensive. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable."

It’s shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for “clarifica… https://t.co/0yzw8jNaQ0

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) 1623300196.0

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard passes on COVID-19 vaccine, says elderly Americans should take priority



Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) has decided to hold off on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine currently being administered to many of her fellow members in Congress, instead vowing to refuse it until elderly Americans are able to receive the shot.

The 39-year-old former Democratic presidential candidate — known for often defying her party — also ripped the Centers for Disease Control for prioritizing healthy "essential workers" over the more vulnerable older population.

What are the details?

"Heartless, arrogant, unelected CDC bureaucrats have decided that the lives of elderly Americans don't count," Gabbard tweeted Monday. "They're recommending 100 million 'essential workers' (i.e. healthy people working at liquor stores or phone companies) can get the vaccine before our grandparents."

"This is immoral and bad health policy," she said, declaring, "I had planned to get the vaccine but will now stand in solidarity with our seniors by not doing so until THEY can. I urge my colleagues who are under 65 and healthy to join me."

This is immoral and bad health policy.I had planned to get the vaccine but will now stand in solidarity with our… https://t.co/XA4JanZlYz
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@Tulsi Gabbard 🌺)1608560729.0

The Hill reported that "Gabbard's tweet conflated essential workers — those who were allowed to continue reporting to work during stay-at-home orders — with first responders. The CDC put first responders alongside 'high-risk health workers' for early access to the vaccine."

In recent days, many leaders in Washington, D.C., have received the newly approved vaccines as part of a "continuity of governance" plan, the New York Post reported. Several members of Congress, the Trump administration, and President-elect Joe Biden have taken the shots in public in an effort to build public confidence in the shots.

What else?

But Gabbard is not alone in her views that members of Congress should not be among the first in line. Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz replied on Twitter, "I'm with you Tulsi!"

The youngest member of Congress, 31-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), received her jab over the weekend and publicized it on social media, while one of the far-left representative's closest allies, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) — whose father died from COVID-19 — condemned the decision for D.C. politicians to receive the shots ahead of other Americans.

Omar tweeted that it would "make sense" if the vaccine was administered prioritizing people by age, but that "unfortunately it's of importance and its (sic) shameful."

"We are not more important then (sic) frontline workers, teachers etc. who are making sacrifices everyday," she continued. "Which is why I won't take it. People who need it most, should get it. Full stop."

.@NancyMace and @IlhanMN will probably rarely agree on anything but both say members of Congress shouldn't be getti… https://t.co/UhcjO68rDg
— Alex Thompson (@Alex Thompson)1608568111.0

Rep. Ilhan Omar compares pro-Trump events to Ku Klux Klan rallies



Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) compared rallies of President Donald Trump to rallies of the racist Ku Klux Klan organization during an interview on Monday.

Omar made the comments in an online YouTube interview with Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post.

Capehart asked for Omar's reaction to the results of the election when she pivoted the conversation toward comments by Trump that she characterized as an "attack" on Somali immigrants and Somali refugees.

"For me and the community I represent for my children, it's been a four-year assault on everything we believe in and everything we stand for," Omar claimed, "down to our basic identity as American refugees in this country."

Omar went on to say that she has spent much time explaining to her children why the president has been targeting her for criticism.

"On a personal level, I have gotten accustomed to standing up to bullies in my life. And so, on a personal level, it hasn't really impacted me besides having, you know, my children be exposed to it, and for the last two months of this election cycle, waking up every single morning to text messages from my siblings asking if I was safe," she continued.

"Because he chose to speak about me at every single rally, it didn't really matter where he was," Omar said, "sometimes, multiple times in a day as he had held his Klan rallies throughout the country."

Critics of Omar circulated a clip of the exchange on social media and excoriated the Muslim congresswoman after other Democratic leaders called for calm and civility in the wake of the November elections.

Squad leader @IlhanMN calls Trump rallies "Klan rallies." Doesn't seem like ideal way to kick off Dems call for u… https://t.co/izo1BP0h3v
— Alice Stewart (@Alice Stewart)1605550526.0

Omar went on to claim that former President Bill Clinton upheld the respectability of the Oval Office much more than Trump has during his tenure.

She also called it "shameful" for some of her Democratic colleagues in the Congress to criticize progressives and far-left Democrats for the failures of the party in the 2020 election.

A Fox News report, based on Federal Election Commission data, reported last week that Omar's campaign sent more than $2.7 million to her husband's political consulting firm for the 2019-2020 election cycle. Omar also won re-election on Nov. 3.

Here's the full interview of Omar by Capehart:

Rep. Ilhan Omar on the election, 117th Congress and more (Full Stream 11/16)www.youtube.com