U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., faced criticism from conservative commentators and activists this week for remarks she made while participating in protests in Minneapolis after a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a local woman.
The comments came during protests over the Jan. 7 shooting in Minneapolis, where ICE officials said an agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during an enforcement operation. Federal officials have characterized the incident as self-defense, asserting Good attempted to use her vehicle against officers; other accounts and video have led to public scrutiny and differing interpretations of the event.
At a rally against the federal enforcement operation, Omar addressed demonstrators from the back of a pickup truck, saying “we are going to make sure that these people pay for what they have done to us,” according to video of the event.
“We are going to show all of them the door out. And we are going to make sure that these people pay for what they have done to us!” Omar can be heard saying to loud cheers while leading marchers from the truck. “We are committed to this resistance!”
Conservative critics said her language could be interpreted as encouraging violence against federal law enforcement. Social media posts from commentators called for her to be expelled from Congress and accused her of inciting unrest.
“Ilhan Omar is now on the ground with left-wing protestors in Minneapolis,” noted Benny Johnson, a conservative influencer and housing policy advisor at America First Policy Institute, over the weekend as Omar marched with folks. “And you guessed it, she’s encouraging violence against ICE.”
Conservative activist and Students for Trump founder Ryan Fournier alleged that Omar referred to federal agents as “terrorists” during her protests in Minneapolis over the weekend.
“Enough is enough. Ilhan Omar committed a crime by lying on her immigration papers, and now she’s inciting violence against ICE,” conservative commentator Rogan O’Handley said regarding Omar’s comments. “Expel her from Congress.”
Conservative activist and media personality David Harris accused the Minnesota Democrat and Somali immigrant of inciting more violence against federal officials, characterizing her rhetoric as falsehoods.
“LYING through her teeth!” Harris said of Omar’s remarks.
“Ilhan Omar pours gas on the fire that Minnesota Democrats are building, accusing ICE of committing ‘murder’ in Minneapolis,” conservative political strategist Steve Guest said about Omar’s comments.
In response to Omar’s claim of “disappearing,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) referred to the accusation as a “lie” intended to “demonize” federal immigration officials, Fox News reported.
“This is an elected official — a member of Congress — spouting utterly inflammatory and incendiary and repugnant falsehoods to a cable news anchor. The officer is also entitled to due process. But he’s a member of law enforcement — so an elected Democrat can spew bile and prejudge his case — and ZERO ramifications,” said James Gagliano, director of the pro-police Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, per Fox.
“Omar can work to change the laws if she disagrees with them. She hasn’t and she won’t,” Gagliano continued. “These federal agents are enforcing OUR laws — ones passed by the U.S. Congress. How irresponsible and reckless to make these *unchallenged* statements on television.”
Critics have also pointed to an incident in which Omar, along with two other Democratic lawmakers, visited the ICE facility at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis over the weekend. During a press conference, Omar accused the Trump administration and ICE officials of “disappearing people” while operating “in the darkness.”
Omar’s inflammatory comments are part of broader controversy following the Minneapolis shooting, which has sparked protests and national debate over immigration enforcement tactics and the use of lethal force by federal agents.
