Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries admits Ilhan Omar used anti-Semitic “tropes” and “made mistakes” – but insists Republicans’ bid to throw her off the committee is “revenge” and Democrats are united behind her stand
- Jeffries spent most of his weekly press briefing pointing out the Republicans’ controversial statements
- He claimed they would get away with it while Omar was unfairly beaten
- BREAKING NEWS: Omar gets the boot
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries admitted Thursday that progressive Rep. Ilhan Omar made “mistakes” using anti-Semitic language, but defended them when Republicans ousted her from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The Republican majority in the House of Representatives introduced a resolution to strip Omar of valuable committee duty for her earlier statements that flew past party lines.
But Democrats have accused the GOP of simply seeking “political vengeance” against the Minnesota legislature after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi chaired the vote to oust intractable Republican Reps Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene removed from their committees at the previous Congress.
“Rep. Omar certainly made mistakes,” Jeffries said during his weekly news briefing.
“She has used anti-Semitic language that has been clearly and unequivocally condemned by House Democrats.
Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended Rep. Ilhan Omar’s seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday
He referenced a 2019 tweet that started a firestorm around Omar when she was still a fledgling lawmaker.
She had hinted that Israel’s allies in US politics were motivated by money, writing, “It’s all about Benjamin’s baby.”
Jeffries noted that House Democrats were quick to pass a resolution condemning anti-Semitism following her comments — but the same resolution has been criticized by Republicans in recent days for not directly mentioning Omar in the condemnation.
“There was accountability. Ilhan Omar has apologized. She has indicated that she will learn from her mistakes,” said the Democrat leader.
Noting that the overwhelming majority of Democrats in Congress support Israel, he said the connection between Tel Aviv and Washington was created through “shared values.”
“We believe in building bridges, not walls, with the Jewish community — including leaders here in the United States Congress,” Jeffries said.
Omar, who came to the US as a Somali refugee, also spoke out in her own defense during the lively debate
“Is Ilhan Omar perfect? No, none of us are. We all fail in the eyes of the Lord, right.’
He pointed out that controversial statements by “extremist MAGA Republicans” in Congress have yet to be condemned by their own party.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s narrow majority means he can currently afford to lose three votes to pass the measure — and some Republican lawmakers have already signaled they oppose it.
During Thursday’s debate before the final vote, Democrats took turns vigorously defending Omar and accusing Republicans of racism in their bid to remove her from the foreign affairs panel.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said there was no “consistency” with the GOP’s move “other than the racism and incitement to violence against women of color on this body.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only other Muslim woman serving in Congress alongside Omar, became emotional as she made a direct appeal to her colleague: “I’m so sorry sis that our country is failing you today.”
After vigorously defending herself, Omar vowed her voice would get “louder and stronger” and received a standing ovation from the Democratic Group.