Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., traded barbs this week after Omar’s comments about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk drew criticism from Republicans.
Omar told the progressive outlet Zeteo that Kirk had “downplayed slavery” and questioned Juneteenth, saying his words and actions over the years could not be ignored. She also criticized Republicans for their reaction to his killing.
“There are a lot of people who are talking about him [Kirk] just wanting to have a civil debate,” Omar said.
“These people are full of s— and it’s important for us to call them out while we feel anger and sadness,” she added.
She pointed to Kirk’s past opposition to recognizing Juneteenth and his comments on George Floyd as examples of rhetoric she considered harmful.
“There is nothing more f—ed up than to pretend that his words and actions haven’t been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so,” Omar added.
Omar is also taking heat for the public perception that she grinned while discussing Charlie Kirk’s death and she blamed the right for strongly disagreeing with the radical left. She appeared in a podcast with Mehdi Hassan.
Mace responded on X, formerly Twitter: “If you celebrate murder, maybe Somalia can take you back.” Omar, who immigrated to the U.S. as a child from Somalia, shot back that her colleague “belongs in rehab, not Congress.” Mace later doubled down, writing: “One-way ticket to Somalia with your name on it, Ilhan Omar.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mace said Omar mocked the assassination of Kirk, who was a husband and father of two.
“Now she’s lashing out because we called her out. What’s not ‘well’ is celebrating political violence,” Mace said. “What’s not ‘smart’ is defending it. Omar should be ashamed of herself. Omar can throw insults all day, but it won’t save her from accountability. She crossed the line, and we’re not letting her get away with it. Go back to Somalia.”
The dispute comes as Mace sponsored a resolution to censure Omar and remove her from committee assignments, which failed on Wednesday by one vote, 214-213, after four Republicans voted with Democrats against the measure. The four who voted against censure were Representatives Mike Flood of Nebraska, Jeff Hurd of Colorado, Tom McClintock of California and Cory Mills of Florida.
Mace has led the criticism of the four, writing on X that “4 Republicans sold out tonight. They sided with Democrats to protect Ilhan Omar.”
Conservative commentator Laura Loomer also weighed in, writing on X: “Outrageous. Why would any Republican vote to protect this jihadist?”
Commentator Mark Levin wrote on X: “4 disgraceful House Republicans supported Islamist Omar despite her cackling at Charlie Kirk’s assassination. All 4 need to be primaried and defeated.”
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot last week during a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, in front of an estimated 3,000 attendees.
Other Democrats also weighed in. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker suggested President Donald Trump’s rhetoric bore responsibility.
“Political violence unfortunately has been ratcheting up in this country,” Pritzker said, citing the recent killing of Minnesota’s Democratic House speaker. “I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country — I think the president’s rhetoric often foments it.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) offered a more even-handed assessment, saying political rhetoric “from both sides” can lead to violence.
“Political violence is never the answer. It divides us,” Kelly told CNN. “But also, I’ve got to say, political rhetoric, too, from both sides, often gets out of hand and it incites people to do things like this.”