Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar previously said the US should be ‘more fearful of White men’

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., faced backlash after comments from 2018 resurfaced, where she stated that the U.S. should be “more fearful of white men” amid threats of domestic terrorism. The remarks, made during an interview with Al Jazeera, sparked criticism from Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance.

In the interview, Omar expressed her belief that white men were responsible for most deaths in the country, calling for policies to combat the radicalization of white individuals. These comments resurfaced in May, leading to condemnation from conservative influencers and politicians like Vance.

Vance labeled Omar’s remarks as “genocidal language,” prompting a response from the congresswoman. Omar clarified that she was referring to the rise of white nationalism, citing a report by the Anti-Defamation League that highlighted white supremacists as the perpetrators of the majority of extremist-related murders.

The controversy surrounding Omar’s past comments coincided with a tragic event in Washington, D.C., where two Israeli Embassy employees were fatally shot. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, a pro-Palestinian individual, was arrested after the shooting and reportedly chanted “Free, free Palestine” during his apprehension.

The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were about to be engaged and hailed from diverse backgrounds. Lischinsky, born in Israel but raised in Germany, came from a mixed Jewish-Christian family, while Milgrim was an American working for the Israeli Embassy.

Initially evading questions from reporters about the shooting, Omar later expressed her shock and condemnation of the attack on social media. She emphasized that violence has no place in the country and offered her thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families.

As the controversy surrounding her resurfaced comments and the tragic shooting unfolded, Omar’s stance on the issue of domestic terrorism and the need for heightened vigilance towards certain groups remains a topic of debate and scrutiny. The congresswoman’s advocacy for Palestinian rights also continues to draw attention and criticism from various quarters.

Fox News’ Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report. Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.