Dems rallied behind Omar as Trump stepped up attacks

Democrats in the House rallied behind Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarOmar claims that death threats have been steadily increasing since Trump tweeted Wallace is not comfortable with Fox, who plays a full video of the 9/11 tweeted by the owners of Yemeni bodegas of Trump calling for a boycott of the New York Post on Omar cover (D-Min.) Monday as President TrumpDonald John TrumpOmar claims that she is facing an increase in death threats since Trump tweeted Trump takes it to Pelosi after an interview of "60 Minutes" Trump revived the attacks on sanctuary cities to distract attention from Mueller report: report escalating his attacks suggesting that the first-year lawmaker downplayed the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

This is a change from past controversies involving Omar, one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress. His fellow Democrats, who have reprimanded him in recent weeks for anti-Semitic remarks, are now rushing to his defense.

"There have been cases where she made comments for which she apologized for her insane actions or for which she was considered anti-Semitic. It certainly was not one of them, "said the president of the Black Caucus (CBC) Congress. Karen BassKaren Ruth Bass, President of the Congressional Black Caucus, commemorates Nipsey Hussle at home. Forest Whitaker partners with legislators to launch a new peace initiative. The Hill's 12:30 Report – Presented by Kidney Care Partners – Reporters on The New York Times on Mueller MORE (D-Calif.) Said Monday during a call with reporters.

representative Marcia FudgeMarcia Louise FudgeThe Black Political Caucus Facing Difficult Decision Harris, Booker Representative, Sheila Jackson Lee, Resigns as President of the CBC Foundation on a Lawsuit The Journalist Expects Capitol Hill to Act in the ninth district of North Carolina. (D-Ohio) also backed Omar, another CBC member: "What she said was true: that after the 9/11 attack, Muslims were treated horribly in this country".

Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonTop Dem: Trump's September 11 tweet "simplistic" attack Homeland Security President sees no idea that Trump's idea of ​​transferring migrants to sanctuary cities is legal Watchdog: Staff de Custodial alleges sexual harassment in legislators' offices MORE (D-Mademoiselle) said he had ordered a security review in place for Omar in Washington and his Minneapolis district. Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiOmar says she's facing an increase in death threats since Trump tweet Trump takes it to Pelosi after an interview of "60 minutes". between Trump, Pelosi and his agreement on bipartite infrastructure PLUS (D-Calif.) Announced a day earlier that she had spoken with the Sergeant of Weapons to make sure the US Capitol police were conducting a security assessment to protect Omar, his family and his staff.

"It really puts the congressman's life in danger," said Trump's Thompson.

The remarks by CBC members came after Trump hissed on Pelosi Monday morning for his defense of Omar's defense, which he described as "disproportionate".

"Before Nancy, who has lost control of the Congress and gets nothing, decides to defend her boss, Omar, she should look into the anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli, unrewarding statements that Omar made. She's out of control, with the exception of Nancy! Trump said on Twitter.

Trump, however, did not mention Omar at a round table on the economy in Minnesota, just south of Omar district, later Monday.

Omar, who had fled violence in his homeland, Somalia, had spent four years in a Kenyan refugee camp. It sparked controversy last week as a result of comments it made to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim group defending civil rights. circulated in the conservative media. Omar condemned those who blamed all Muslims for the September 11 attacks based on the actions of some extremists.

"CAIR was founded after September 11, because they recognized that some people had acted and we were all starting to lose access to our civil liberties," she said.

Trump drew more attention Friday on the issue with a tweet highlighting parts of his comments and a video describing the attacks of September 11. Omar said in a statement Sunday that she was facing a surge of death threats, many of which were directly referring to the video posted by Trump.

In contrast, previous controversies involving Omar had elicited bipartisan reactions.

In February, Democratic leaders urged Omar to apologize after hinting that US lawmakers defending Israel were motivated by money. And last month, the House passed a resolution largely condemning hatred after Omar questioned "the political influence in this country that says it's okay to press for allegiance." to a foreign country "by referring to the pro-Israel lobby.

Speaker of the Judiciary Committee of the House Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerNadler wants "the boss of everyone" to be heard by Stephen Miller in front of the Congress. Giuliani denounces Nadler for "the diarrhea of ​​the mouth", "the lack of discernment". (D-N.Y.) Was among the most vocal Jewish democrats to publicly call Omar for his criticism of Israel. But Nadler, who represents the part of Manhattan where the September 11 attacks on the twin towers took place, notably defended Omar.

"She was talking about discrimination against Muslim Americans. And she just said that after that she has been excusing for many discriminations and the removal of civil liberties, "Nadler said Sunday on" the state of the Union "on CNN . " from other remarks, but not with that one. "

While the Democrats rallied behind Omar, some of its closest allies complained about the slowness of their leaders. Immediately after Trump's tweet Friday, the representative Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibOmar said that she was facing an increase in death threats since Trump tweeted The owners of a Yemeni bodega are calling for a boycott of the New York Post on the cover of Omar Trump worsens the controversy concerning Omar PLUS (D-Mich.), Another Muslim freshman, urged all Democrats to condemn the president's message.

"No more silence, with the NY Post and now Trump taking Ilhan's words out of context to incite violence, it's time for more Dems to speak up," she said. tweeted.

"They took pictures of us when they wanted to show that our party is diverse. However, when we ask to be at the table or talk about the issues that affect who we are, what we are fighting for and why we ran in the first place, we are ignored. To truly honor our diversity, is to never silence us, "wrote Tlaib in another tweet on Saturday.

Pelosi, who was traveling in Europe this weekend, first issued a statement Saturday condemning the president's tweet on 9/11 without mentioning Omar, citing: "It's wrong for the president, as commander in chief, flames to make anyone less safe. "

Pelosi went further on Sunday and said, "The president's words weigh a ton, and his hateful and incendiary rhetoric creates a real danger."

In a Democratic Party in defense of Omar, Sen. Kirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth GillibrandDemocratic proposals for a health care overhaul: an introduction to 2020 Gillibrand's campaign links low fundraising to Al Franken's reaction: Trump's memo intensifies Omar controversy MORE was a notable exception. While the New York Democrat, a White House candidate in 2020, described Trump's attacks on Omar as "dangerous" and "disgusting", she also seemed to suggest that Omar had downplayed the 9/11 attacks.

"As a senator representing victims of 9/11, I can not accept any reduction of this pain," Gillibrand tweeted the Saturday.

Other Democrats, however, hastened to reject the idea that the party was divided in its response to the latest controversy regarding Omar.

"It may be that one or two of them do not stand by our side, but do not give the impression that we are a divided house," said Fudge, a former president of the CBC Board of Directors. "We are with her."

Fudge, who had challenged Pelosi as president last year, also rejected the idea that Democratic leaders had not been strong enough.

"I think the president has been strong," she said.

Democrats have repeatedly accused Trump of inciting racial divisions across the country, particularly on burning issues related to immigration policy and refugees. By rushing to Omar's defense this week, they amplify the importance of staying united to fight the president's rhetoric.

"Since Ilhan has attracted the attention of the public and throughout his term in Congress, he has been the target of these extremists … right. And she continues to defend her beliefs every day – for people of color, for refugees, for her constituents, for Muslims, "said Representative André Carson (D-Ind.). "And that's why we defend it."