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.
‘Ghost ships’ ferrying illicit oil have sailed into Trump’s crosshairs
Doctor mysteriously found dead inside Dollar Tree freezer reportedly naked
Terrifying video shows out-of-control MTA bus plowing into cars in the Bronx, injuring 8
Pentagon launches full command investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘serious misconduct’ allegations
Comer gives Clintons last chance to testify in Epstein inquiry before contempt proceedings
Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial for illegal immigrant escape case begins with FBI agent on the stand
Ilhan Omar lashes out at ‘sick’ Republicans for investigating her alleged marriage to brother
Watch: Announcers Stunned as Irate LeBron James Gets Physical with Referee
DHS arrests ‘worst of the worst’ illegal migrants, including murderers and pedophiles, in weekend operation
Trump sues BBC for $10 billion over Jan. 6 speech edit
Erika Kirk shares update after private in-person meeting with Candace Owens
Police release new video of person of interest in Brown University shooting as manhunt resumes
Opinion: Trump’s Post on Rob Reiner’s Death Was a Massive Misstep, While the Vast Majority of MAGA Posts Got It Exactly Right
DC police accused of manipulating crime stats as federal probe finds thousands of misclassified cases
AOC’s luxury spending binge in Puerto Rico reignites questions about ‘socialist’ brand: ‘Peak hypocrisy’
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.
‘Ghost ships’ ferrying illicit oil have sailed into Trump’s crosshairs
Doctor mysteriously found dead inside Dollar Tree freezer reportedly naked
Terrifying video shows out-of-control MTA bus plowing into cars in the Bronx, injuring 8
Pentagon launches full command investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘serious misconduct’ allegations
Comer gives Clintons last chance to testify in Epstein inquiry before contempt proceedings
Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial for illegal immigrant escape case begins with FBI agent on the stand
Ilhan Omar lashes out at ‘sick’ Republicans for investigating her alleged marriage to brother
Watch: Announcers Stunned as Irate LeBron James Gets Physical with Referee
DHS arrests ‘worst of the worst’ illegal migrants, including murderers and pedophiles, in weekend operation
Trump sues BBC for $10 billion over Jan. 6 speech edit
Erika Kirk shares update after private in-person meeting with Candace Owens
Police release new video of person of interest in Brown University shooting as manhunt resumes
Opinion: Trump’s Post on Rob Reiner’s Death Was a Massive Misstep, While the Vast Majority of MAGA Posts Got It Exactly Right
DC police accused of manipulating crime stats as federal probe finds thousands of misclassified cases
AOC’s luxury spending binge in Puerto Rico reignites questions about ‘socialist’ brand: ‘Peak hypocrisy’
“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.”
‘Ghost ships’ ferrying illicit oil have sailed into Trump’s crosshairs
Doctor mysteriously found dead inside Dollar Tree freezer reportedly naked
Terrifying video shows out-of-control MTA bus plowing into cars in the Bronx, injuring 8
Pentagon launches full command investigation into Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘serious misconduct’ allegations
Comer gives Clintons last chance to testify in Epstein inquiry before contempt proceedings
Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial for illegal immigrant escape case begins with FBI agent on the stand
Ilhan Omar lashes out at ‘sick’ Republicans for investigating her alleged marriage to brother
Watch: Announcers Stunned as Irate LeBron James Gets Physical with Referee
DHS arrests ‘worst of the worst’ illegal migrants, including murderers and pedophiles, in weekend operation
Trump sues BBC for $10 billion over Jan. 6 speech edit
Erika Kirk shares update after private in-person meeting with Candace Owens
Police release new video of person of interest in Brown University shooting as manhunt resumes
Opinion: Trump’s Post on Rob Reiner’s Death Was a Massive Misstep, While the Vast Majority of MAGA Posts Got It Exactly Right
DC police accused of manipulating crime stats as federal probe finds thousands of misclassified cases
AOC’s luxury spending binge in Puerto Rico reignites questions about ‘socialist’ brand: ‘Peak hypocrisy’
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.
