Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) offered no substantive comment following the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers by a suspected pro-Hamas attacker in Washington, D.C., early Thursday morning.
A Fox News reporter approached the Minnesota congresswoman, an outspoken critic of Israeli policy and member of the far-left “Squad,” outside the Capitol shortly after the House passed President Donald Trump’s latest tax reform bill.
Omar, who is Muslim and has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks declined to address the suspect’s reported cries of “Free, free Palestine” during the attack, which claimed the lives of a young couple just days before their planned engagement.
“Congresswoman Omar, can I get your reaction to the shooting that happened in D.C. last night?” the correspondent asks as Omar lowers her head and walks past. “I’m going to go for now,” she replies without glancing in his direction. The hosts of Fox & Friends appeared visibly disturbed by what they described as a callous response to the antisemitic killings.
The incident adds to a string of controversies surrounding Omar, a vocal far-left congresswoman who has frequently criticized pro-Israel lawmakers and efforts to combat antisemitism nationwide.
In response, a Republican congressman has launched a petition calling for Omar’s arrest and deportation, citing longstanding allegations—including claims from members of the Somali community—that she married her biological brother decades ago to help him avoid deportation.
Shortly after Trump took office, Omar faced heavy criticism for calling the majority of Americans “stupid” for electing him.
She has had several contentious exchanges with the press in response to tough questions. In one instance, she slammed an elevator door on a reporter who asked why she refused to stand and applaud a young boy recognized during President Trump’s address to Congress.
When pressed by another reporter about longstanding allegations that she married her brother, Omar curtly responded, “F**k off,” before walking away.