A 2018 interview clip of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has reignited controversy this week after being resurfaced by conservative influencers on social media, sparking backlash from GOP lawmakers and commentators.
In the interview with Al-Jazeera, Omar, a member of the progressive “Squad,” discussed domestic terrorism and responded to a question about jihadism. “I would say our country should be more fearful of white men across our country, because they are actually causing most of the deaths within this country,” she said at the time. “And so if fear was the driving force of policies to keep America safe… we should be profiling, monitoring, and creating policies to fight the radicalization of white men.”
Conservative figures, including Laura Loomer and Libs of TikTok, reposted the video, leading to millions of views and strong reactions online. Vice President JD Vance called Omar’s remarks “genocidal language,” while Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) described them as “blatant racism.” Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the House Majority Whip, labeled her an “embarrassment for Minnesota.”
In response, Omar addressed the controversy on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that her comments referred to data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which in 2018 reported that white supremacists were responsible for 78% of extremist-related murders in the U.S. “In this nearly 8-year-old clip… I am referring to the rise of white nationalism,” Omar wrote. She also criticized Vance, adding, “PS you should look up what ‘genocidal’ actually means when you’re actively supporting a genocide taking place in Gaza.”
Omar’s remarks came amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that escalated in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,300 people and taking more than 200 hostages. Omar has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military response, drawing scrutiny from both parties.
Additionally, Omar continues to face accusations from some conservatives regarding her views on immigration and allegations—unproven—of past fraud related to her immigration status. A video posted by conservative influencer Greg Price, shared by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), appears to show Omar advising Somali immigrants on how to respond to immigration enforcement. Gill suggested Omar was encouraging illegal behavior and called for her deportation.
“America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia,” Gill posted, prompting further support from conservative users on social media.
A spokesperson for Gill told The Hill, “Representative Omar’s conduct raises questions about to whom she is most loyal— the American people or illegal aliens from Somalia.”
While Omar has faced repeated accusations and suspicion over her immigration history, no formal evidence or charges of wrongdoing have emerged.
