Progressive Democrats unite in support of Ilhan Omar against ‘Islamophobic’ censure

Progressive Democrats are rallying around “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who is facing a censure resolution that accuses her of antisemitic remarks, with many calling the effort “Islamophobic.”

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Whip Greg Casar (D-TX) released a statement in support of Omar on Wednesday, blasting the censure move as a “political stunt.”

“The Congressional Progressive Caucus fully stands with our Deputy Chair, Representative Ilhan Omar, in condemning this baseless, blatantly Islamophobic censure resolution,” Jayapal and Casar said. “We see this for what it is: a political stunt to stir up hate within the MAGA extremist base.”

“Throughout her service as Deputy Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Omar has brought invaluable leadership and continues to bring a vital perspective to the People’s House. We stand with her,” the progressive leaders continued.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) filed a resolution on Tuesday accusing Omar of “increasing antisemitism in our country” after she suggested that some Jewish students at Columbia University were “pro-genocide” during a visit to the campus, where her daughter is a student protester.

“I think it is really unfortunate that people don’t care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe,” Omar said at the time. “We should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they’re pro-genocide or anti-genocide.”

Bacon said in a statement announcing his resolution that the House needs to take a “strong stand” to condemn the Minnesota Democrat’s remarks and “those who continue to excuse her egregious behavior must stop.”

Omar has faced several censure threats before. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) filed a similar resolution over statements Omar made about Somalia, but it never reached the floor.

She’s not the only Squad member to face a censure. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) was censured six months ago over pro-Palestinian comments and use of the phrase “from the river to the sea,” referring to the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River that includes Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The phrase has been condemned by Jewish groups and Israel allies as being antisemitic and calling for the eradication of the Jewish state.

On Tuesday, Tlaib issued a statement blaming the 366 members who voted in favor of a $26.38 billion foreign aid package to Israel for the potential invasion of Rafah.

“Many of my colleagues are going to express concern and horror at the crimes against humanity that are about to unfold, even though they just voted to send Netanyahu billions more in weapons,” the Michigan Democrat said. “Do not be misled, they gave their consent for these atrocities, and our country is actively participating in genocide.”

Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), who voted in favor of the aid package, said during a press conference on Tuesday that he disagreed with Tlaib’s statements.

“That’s not the language that I would use,” Aguilar said, adding that the Biden administration has been clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that an invasion of Rafah is a red line.

Aguilar also admonished Omar’s comments last week, saying it was “not something I would have said.”

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“We all have an obligation to turn the temperature down, especially when we’re in those positions where people are listening to us,” the caucus chairman said.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Bacon for comment.