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.
Watch: WNBA Player Ejected After Nearly Taking Off Sophie Cunningham’s Head With Clothesline Maneuver
Trump’s White House ballroom foes face ‘very tough argument’ at Supreme Court, legal experts say
Fauci in the congressional wringer: a test for Trump’s newly-minted Attorney General
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what the Senate did and didn’t do overnight
One year on, US-brokered peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cements US foothold in the Caucasus
Joe Biden’s cancer has spread further, leaving him in ‘very painful’ condition, Hunter reveals
Florida business owners allegedly scattered 1,500 mothballs on beach to send endangered birds packing
Don Lemon Whines to Judge and Blames Trump in Bid to Get Indictment Thrown Out
Cornell bans bear butchering after students carved up creature in dorm kitchen
‘DEI queen’: Virginia Dem’s past embrace of far-left prosecutors unearthed
Slain California fire captain’s wife admits murder after Mexico capture, serving time for killing first spouse
Megan Rapinoe Melts Down After Seeing Photo of Sophie Cunningham with Riley Gaines
Muslims Kill 30 Nigerian Christians in Latest Village Attack
Middle school student arrested after allegedly stashing homemade firearms for robbery plot: sheriff
Persecution of Egyptian Christians Continues in Series of Recent Incidents
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.
Watch: WNBA Player Ejected After Nearly Taking Off Sophie Cunningham’s Head With Clothesline Maneuver
Trump’s White House ballroom foes face ‘very tough argument’ at Supreme Court, legal experts say
Fauci in the congressional wringer: a test for Trump’s newly-minted Attorney General
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what the Senate did and didn’t do overnight
One year on, US-brokered peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cements US foothold in the Caucasus
Joe Biden’s cancer has spread further, leaving him in ‘very painful’ condition, Hunter reveals
Florida business owners allegedly scattered 1,500 mothballs on beach to send endangered birds packing
Don Lemon Whines to Judge and Blames Trump in Bid to Get Indictment Thrown Out
Cornell bans bear butchering after students carved up creature in dorm kitchen
‘DEI queen’: Virginia Dem’s past embrace of far-left prosecutors unearthed
Slain California fire captain’s wife admits murder after Mexico capture, serving time for killing first spouse
Megan Rapinoe Melts Down After Seeing Photo of Sophie Cunningham with Riley Gaines
Muslims Kill 30 Nigerian Christians in Latest Village Attack
Middle school student arrested after allegedly stashing homemade firearms for robbery plot: sheriff
Persecution of Egyptian Christians Continues in Series of Recent Incidents
“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.”
Watch: WNBA Player Ejected After Nearly Taking Off Sophie Cunningham’s Head With Clothesline Maneuver
Trump’s White House ballroom foes face ‘very tough argument’ at Supreme Court, legal experts say
Fauci in the congressional wringer: a test for Trump’s newly-minted Attorney General
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what the Senate did and didn’t do overnight
One year on, US-brokered peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cements US foothold in the Caucasus
Joe Biden’s cancer has spread further, leaving him in ‘very painful’ condition, Hunter reveals
Florida business owners allegedly scattered 1,500 mothballs on beach to send endangered birds packing
Don Lemon Whines to Judge and Blames Trump in Bid to Get Indictment Thrown Out
Cornell bans bear butchering after students carved up creature in dorm kitchen
‘DEI queen’: Virginia Dem’s past embrace of far-left prosecutors unearthed
Slain California fire captain’s wife admits murder after Mexico capture, serving time for killing first spouse
Megan Rapinoe Melts Down After Seeing Photo of Sophie Cunningham with Riley Gaines
Muslims Kill 30 Nigerian Christians in Latest Village Attack
Middle school student arrested after allegedly stashing homemade firearms for robbery plot: sheriff
Persecution of Egyptian Christians Continues in Series of Recent Incidents
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.
