A past interview clip of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive “Squad,” has resurfaced and sparked renewed backlash across conservative circles, drawing sharp criticism from high-profile Republicans including Vice President JD Vance.
In the 2018 interview with Al Jazeera, Omar commented on domestic terrorism in the U.S., stating:
“I believe our country should express greater concern about White men nationwide, as they are statistically responsible for most of the fatalities in the country.” She continued, “If fear is the basis for forming national security policy, then profiling and countering the radicalization of White men would be a logical next step.”
The resurfaced comments, described by critics as racially charged and misleading, quickly went viral on social media platforms after being shared by conservative influencers Laura Loomer and LibsofTikTok, racking up millions of views.
Vice President JD Vance was among the most vocal in his condemnation, calling the remarks “genocidal rhetoric” and labeling Omar “a disgrace” in a post on X.
Senator Mike Lee also weighed in, calling her statements “overt racism,” while House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) said Omar remains “an embarrassment to Minnesota.” Conservative commentator Paul Szypula went even further, stating, “There has never been a more anti-American member of Congress.”
Omar responded to the renewed criticism by pointing to the context of her 2018 remarks. In a post shared to X, she clarified: “This clip is nearly eight years old and references a report from the Anti-Defamation League, which found that white supremacists were responsible for 78% of extremist-related killings at the time. You may also want to look up what ‘genocidal’ actually means.”
Omar’s comments come amid longstanding accusations from critics who have accused her of harboring anti-Semitic views—criticisms that have at times come from within her own party.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), a freshman lawmaker, publicly called for Omar’s deportation. “America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia,” Gill wrote on X.
Gill’s post featured a clip of Omar that shows her appearing to advise undocumented Somali immigrants in the U.S. on how to avoid encounters with immigration enforcement—a video that conservative commentator Greg Price said amounted to “workshops” on dodging deportation.
The video prompted a wave of support from users on X, with some labeling Omar “anti-American,” a “fraud,” and a “traitor.” Others questioned the legality of her actions, suggesting she should be investigated or removed from office.
In a follow-up statement, Gill said, “We should have never allowed Ilhan Omar into our country,” and a spokesperson later added that Omar’s behavior raises questions about her loyalty, accusing her of helping undocumented Somali immigrants avoid lawful enforcement.
While Omar has long faced allegations related to immigration fraud during her path to U.S. citizenship, no formal evidence or charges have ever substantiated those claims.
The controversy underscores the deep political divide surrounding Omar and the lasting impact of her past statements on current political discourse.
