Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somali-born U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has strongly pushed back against an effort by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) to censure her, calling the move baseless, politically motivated, and rooted in attacks on her identity.
Mace filed the resolution on September 15, accusing Omar of mocking conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination on September 10 and reposting disparaging videos online. However, the resolution does not include any direct quotes from Omar herself, relying instead on material others had shared. Omar dismissed the accusations, arguing that the censure effort is more about Mace’s campaign for South Carolina governor than about facts.
Omar, who came to the United States as a child after fleeing Somalia’s civil war, said she found Kirk’s killing “mortifying” and expressed sympathies to his family. She also pointed out that she has always condemned political violence, regardless of ideology. Her allies argue that the resolution reflects a broader pattern of Republicans targeting lawmakers of color and immigrants in politically charged fights.
In a series of posts on X, Omar fired back directly at Mace. “I know you aren’t well or smart but I hope someone can explain to you that there isn’t a correlation between my committee assignments and deportation,” she wrote. In another message, she added, “Would love to see you get the help you need next. You belong in rehab, not Congress.” Omar currently serves on the Education and the Workforce Committee and the Budget Committee. Any attempt to remove her would require majority support in the House.
Mace, meanwhile, took to social media to escalate her criticism, writing: “If you celebrate murder, maybe Somalia can take you back.” Her remarks drew sharp criticism, with Democrats saying such rhetoric is an attack on Omar’s immigrant background rather than on her actual record. Omar herself insisted the censure resolution cannot stand on its own because, in her words, “she couldn’t find any” quotes of hers that celebrate violence.
The controversy erupted after the death of Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old man in the case, saying DNA collected at the scene links him to the weapon. A court hearing is scheduled for later this month. While Omar condemned the murder, she also criticized Kirk’s political record on issues like gun rights and race, sparking accusations from some Republicans that her comments were disrespectful.
The push to censure Omar is part of a wider Republican response following Kirk’s assassination. Several GOP lawmakers have introduced censure measures and proposals aimed at punishing speech they consider celebratory or defamatory. Legal experts note that these moves raise First Amendment concerns, since members of Congress are entitled to express opinions on public figures without fear of official punishment.
Democrats have promised to respond if Republicans move ahead with punishing Omar. Some have threatened to file their own censure motions against GOP lawmakers for inflammatory remarks. With tensions running high, the fight over Omar’s remarks has become another flashpoint in the ongoing partisan battles in Washington.
For Omar, the episode highlights the constant scrutiny she faces as one of the first Muslim women in Congress and a frequent target of conservative attacks. She insists her critics are misrepresenting her words to score political points. “I have routinely condemned political violence, no matter the ideology,” she said. “This is just a fundraising stunt.”
As the House prepares to decide whether to move forward on the resolution, the debate underscores not only partisan divides but also deeper questions about free speech, race, and identity in American politics. Whether the measure succeeds or fails, it is clear that Omar intends to fight back forcefully against efforts to silence her voice.