Democrats are complaining about a NY Post cover that criticized Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for saying, "Some people did something" on September 11, 2001.
Omar's remark about a day in history when nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives angered many in the news media who question her patriotism.
Omar, who is Muslim, made the remark at a recent private fundraiser for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) of Los Angeles, where she described 9/11 as a day on which "some people did something."
The NY Post called out Omar for "downplaying" 9/11. The paper published an image on the front cover that shows the Twin Towers engulfed in flames and smoke after hijacked planes were flown into them by al Qaeda terrorists.
"Here's your something," the headline reads, with the subheader: "2,977 people dead by terrorism."
Omar urged attendees to "raise hell" and "make people uncomfortable" if they mistreat Muslim-Americans as second class citizens.
"CAIR was founded after 9/11, because they recognize that some people did something, and then all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties," said Omar.
She urged attendees to confront people who stare at them with a suspicious look. "You have to say that person is looking at me strange, I am not comfortable with it. I am going to talk to them and ask them why."
A Fox News journalist questioned whether Omar was American and whether she should be a member of Congress.
In an appearance on CBS' Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Omar complained that Fox News' comments were a "double standard" that incited violence against her.
"This kind of double standard really is quite, you know, offensive, and is very much embedded in a lot of our culture these days," she said.
"They actually said that I might not be an American. My loyalties might not be to this country. But I get called out. They don't. They get to keep their show."
In response, Colbert suggested the "unfair" attacks on Omar were racist because she's a Muslim woman.
"I think because you're a Muslim, because you're a woman, because you're a person of color, you're given less latitude than somebody like me," he said.
Omar replied, "You see this outrage when I speak the truth. Everyone else's truth is allowed but my truth can never be."
Omar also took to Twitter.com to complain that she was receiving death threats.
She retweeted a Fox & friends post that quoted Fox radio host Brian Kilmeade saying, "You have to wonder if she's an American first."
This is dangerous incitement, given the death threats I face. I hope leaders of both parties will join me in condemning it.
My love and commitment to our country and that of my colleagues should never be in question. We are ALL Americans! pic.twitter.com/foTZMpiZKv
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 10, 2019
"This is dangerous incitement, given the death threats I face. I hope leaders of both parties will join me in condemning it."
Other Dems called out the news media for "twisting" Omar's words. They claim that when she said "Some people did something," she was referring to Americans who treated Muslims like 2nd class citizens after 9/11.
Her colleague, freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also defended Omar, saying, "She's done more for 9/11 families than the GOP who won't even support healthcare for 1st responders- yet are happy to weaponize her faith."
I’m not going to quote the NY Post’s horrifying, hateful cover.
Here’s 1 fact: @IlhanMN is a cosponsor of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. She‘s done more for 9/11 families than the GOP who won’t even support healthcare for 1st responders- yet are happy to weaponize her faith.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) April 11, 2019
Death threats? Get over yourself. A real death threat never comes w/a warning, just ask the jihad supporters over at CAIR. You're a press seeker, thus, why you try pushing a bill to kill TRAVEL BAN by mislabeling it as a MUSLIM BAN. You're why people want to limit refugee program
— Dennis Michael Lynch (@realDennisLynch) April 10, 2019
If she was still in a “Muslim country” she wouldn’t be able to speak so freely like this. Not all Muslims are perfect, she needs to step aside and let the ones that are actually looking to protect us Americans and our country speak.
— Shaza Mohammad (@ShazaMohammad6) April 10, 2019
As a Christian, I love all people...Muslims included. I have Muslim friends that I love very dearly. But the #RadicalHatred that Ilhan Omar espouses should never be allowed in American Government. God bless you for speaking the truth in love.
— Brian Riels (@PetalRebel74) April 11, 2019
Photo by Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
