One of at least eight candidates aiming to unseat U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., gave a brief reply this week after Omar posted six ways that she identifies herself.
“I am an American,” wrote Republican Dalia al-Aqidi, a former Iraqi refugee who hopes to replace Omar in representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
“That’s why I’m running for Congress,” al-Aqidi added.
The response came shortly after Omar’s Twitter message late Sunday, in which the freshman congresswoman listed ways that she describes herself.
“I am, Hijabi, Muslim, Black, Foreign born, Refugee, Somali,” Omar wrote.
Former Freedom Caucus chair Bob Good blasts Trump’s endorsement record: ‘Trump IS the problem’
Tom Cotton puts Biden on notice while demanding answers on draining of nation’s oil stockpile
Beloved 75-year-old math teacher found dead inside Baltimore elementary school
FBI arrests alleged MS-13 member accused in El Salvador pastor’s killing
EXCLUSIVE: ICE says El Paso detention facility will stay open under new contractor after $1.2B deal scrapped
WATCH: NYC terror suspect allegedly seen purchasing fireworks fuse days before attack
Michigan man found guilty of killing wife whose body was discovered in fertilizer tank
Sen. Hyde-Smith set for November clash with Dem foe she once vanquished
9th Circuit upholds first grader’s free speech rights in ‘black lives matter’ drawing case
Special election replacing Marjorie Taylor Greene goes to runoff between Trump-endorsed candidate and Democrat
Trump Says Family Bible from His Mother Has a Powerful Revival Connection
Speaker Johnson touts Trump’s agenda as crucial blueprint ahead of midterms: ‘On the ballot’
Brett Kavanaugh Fires Back as Ketanji Brown Jackson Gets Hostile While Two Share Stage at Event
After Daughter Is Allegedly Killed by Illegal, Mom Opens Victim’s Bible and Finds Incredible Surprise Note
DOJ blasts ‘partisan’ DC Bar complaint against senior Trump official
Then, appearing to provoke her critics, Omar added, “Easily triggering conservatives, Right wing bloggers, anti Muslim bigots, tinfoil conspiracy theorists, birthers, pay me a [dollar] to bash Muslims fraudsters, pro-occupation groups and every single xenophobe since 2016.”
Omar ended the post with a laughing-face emoji and a GIF showing her addressing an audience, saying “Hello Hello!”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also blasted the Omar post, writing, “in today’s Leftist world of intersectionality, ‘American’ is deemed embarrassing & gauche.”
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends” in January, al-Aqidi, a journalist, spoke out against what she described as “hateful rhetoric” coming from Omar since she took office.
“As an American citizen, my duty is to defend my country and my duty is to stand up to her hatred and racism that she’s spreading within her community, within the country, and even worldwide,” al-Aqidi said. “Ilhan Omar is harming every American with her hatred, her standing against what we believe in, [and] against our own Constitution.”
Like Omar, al-Aqidi came to the U.S. with her family to flee a nation ravaged by war. But unlike Omar, al-Aqidi said she has stopped considering herself a refugee.
Former Freedom Caucus chair Bob Good blasts Trump’s endorsement record: ‘Trump IS the problem’
Tom Cotton puts Biden on notice while demanding answers on draining of nation’s oil stockpile
Beloved 75-year-old math teacher found dead inside Baltimore elementary school
FBI arrests alleged MS-13 member accused in El Salvador pastor’s killing
EXCLUSIVE: ICE says El Paso detention facility will stay open under new contractor after $1.2B deal scrapped
WATCH: NYC terror suspect allegedly seen purchasing fireworks fuse days before attack
Michigan man found guilty of killing wife whose body was discovered in fertilizer tank
Sen. Hyde-Smith set for November clash with Dem foe she once vanquished
9th Circuit upholds first grader’s free speech rights in ‘black lives matter’ drawing case
Special election replacing Marjorie Taylor Greene goes to runoff between Trump-endorsed candidate and Democrat
Trump Says Family Bible from His Mother Has a Powerful Revival Connection
Speaker Johnson touts Trump’s agenda as crucial blueprint ahead of midterms: ‘On the ballot’
Brett Kavanaugh Fires Back as Ketanji Brown Jackson Gets Hostile While Two Share Stage at Event
After Daughter Is Allegedly Killed by Illegal, Mom Opens Victim’s Bible and Finds Incredible Surprise Note
DOJ blasts ‘partisan’ DC Bar complaint against senior Trump official
“I came to the U.S. more than 25 years ago. So, basically, I’m not a refugee anymore. I’m not an Iraqi anymore. I’m an American. Period,” she said on “Fox & Friends.”
Omar’s comments about Israel have frequently drawn accusations that she is anti-Semitic. But the congresswoman has insisted she opposes all forms of bigotry.
Like al-Aqidi, many commenters on social media this week were quick to notice that Omar had opted not to describe herself as an American.
“Hmm. I don’t see that you identify as a US citizen???” one commenter wrote. “You should not be in Congress!”
“Not surprising that you didn’t identify at all as American,” another wrote. “I have no problems with any of the above except that. You were elected by Americans to serve Americans. Thank goodness you don’t purport to represent me.”
“She leaves out American,” another Twitter user wrote. “Doesn’t even occur to her.”
Others offered other suggestions that Omar could add to her description list.
“And a one and done congressperson,” one commenter wrote.
Still others reacted by saying Omar’s attention seems directed away from her Minnesota constituents.
“That’s a lot about you,” one person wrote. “Can we talk about our state of Minnesota now and what we are working on here? I really tire of how much you focus on… well, you.”
Former Freedom Caucus chair Bob Good blasts Trump’s endorsement record: ‘Trump IS the problem’
Tom Cotton puts Biden on notice while demanding answers on draining of nation’s oil stockpile
Beloved 75-year-old math teacher found dead inside Baltimore elementary school
FBI arrests alleged MS-13 member accused in El Salvador pastor’s killing
EXCLUSIVE: ICE says El Paso detention facility will stay open under new contractor after $1.2B deal scrapped
WATCH: NYC terror suspect allegedly seen purchasing fireworks fuse days before attack
Michigan man found guilty of killing wife whose body was discovered in fertilizer tank
Sen. Hyde-Smith set for November clash with Dem foe she once vanquished
9th Circuit upholds first grader’s free speech rights in ‘black lives matter’ drawing case
Special election replacing Marjorie Taylor Greene goes to runoff between Trump-endorsed candidate and Democrat
Trump Says Family Bible from His Mother Has a Powerful Revival Connection
Speaker Johnson touts Trump’s agenda as crucial blueprint ahead of midterms: ‘On the ballot’
Brett Kavanaugh Fires Back as Ketanji Brown Jackson Gets Hostile While Two Share Stage at Event
After Daughter Is Allegedly Killed by Illegal, Mom Opens Victim’s Bible and Finds Incredible Surprise Note
DOJ blasts ‘partisan’ DC Bar complaint against senior Trump official
According to the election website Ballotpedia, at least three Democrats will challenge Omar in the party’s primary election Aug. 11. They are community organizer John Mason, lawyer Antone Melton-Meaux and community clinic founder Leila Shukri Adan.
At least five Republicans are vying for Omar’s House seat as well. They are al-Aqidi and technology professional Lacy Johnson, special education professional Danielle Stella, minister Lucia Vogel, activist Alley Waterbury and former sales manager Brent Whaley.
Story cited here.
