Democrats fracture over 9/11 row
2020 presidential contenders face ‘litmus test’ over Trump’s video of Congresswomen Ilhan Omar’s comments
 
Democratic presidential hopefuls face a significant test over how they respond to a video tweeted by Donald Trump in which a freshman congresswomen questions the seriousness of the 9/11 terror attacks.
In a clip tweeted by the US president, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is seen saying “some people did something,” between footage of planes hitting the Twin Towers and people fleeing the buildings.
Republicans have accused her of downplaying the attacks, which has prompted suggestions from right-wing news outlets and some politicans that Omar, a black Muslim women who wears a hijab, is un-American and un-patriotic, and even that her religious beliefs are “antithetical to the United States constitution”.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
 
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Independent reports that one tweet liked by the president's son, Donald Jr, called Omar’s politics “not American” and suggested she has “no allegiance” to the US.
The first Muslim woman ever elected to Congress, Omar has become a lightning rod for controversy and Republican anger since she was sworn in in January.
But the Democratic leadership and some freshmen Democrats “have disagreed over how to respond to attacks on [her]”, The Guardian reports.
Her criticism of US policy on Israel and claims support was fuelled by donations from powerful Jewish lobby groups drew sharp criticism from Republicans and even some senior Democrats, and was quickly rebuked by House Speaker and nominal head of the party Nancy Pelosi.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
However, the response was widely criticised by the younger, progressive wing of the party “furious about the leadership's gambit” says CNN. They questioned why there was not the same denunciation of Republican bigotry and whether it could even put Omar’s life in danger.
Not wanting a repeat of the row which threatened to derail the party’s legislative agenda ahead of next year’s presidential election, for now, “Democrats have largely rallied to her defence, saying she had been quoted out of context and some accusing Trump of inciting violence against her and Muslims” reports the BBC.
Lois Beckett in The Observer writes Donald Trump’s attack on the Muslim congresswoman “swiftly became something of a litmus test for Democratic politicians, as some of the most progressive 2020 presidential candidates spoke most quickly and forcefully in Omar’s defense”.
Senator Bernie Sanders called attacks on Omar “disgusting and dangerous” and said she would not “back down to Trump’s racism and hate, and neither will we”.
Senator Elizabeth Warren said: “The president is inciting violence against a sitting congresswoman – and an entire group of Americans based on their religion. It’s disgusting. It’s shameful. And any elected leader who refuses to condemn it shares responsibility for it.”
By contrast, more centrist contenders, including former vice-president Joe Biden and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, remained silent in the 24 hours that followed Trump’s tweet.
- 
 Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health research Testosterone therapy in women highlights the lack of women’s health researchThe explainer There is no FDA-approved testosterone product for women 
- 
 Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025 Magazine solutions - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025 
- 
 Magazine printables - November 7, 2025 Magazine printables - November 7, 2025Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 7, 2025 
- 
 Judge rules US attorney ‘unlawfully serving’ Judge rules US attorney ‘unlawfully serving’Speed Read Bill Essayli had been serving in the role without Senate confirmation 
- 
 Trump ends Asia trip with Xi meeting, nuke threat Trump ends Asia trip with Xi meeting, nuke threatSpeed Read Trump had spent the last six days in Asia 
- 
 ‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’ ‘Businesses that lose money and are uncompetitive won’t survive’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day 
- 
 What does history say about Trump’s moves in Latin America? What does history say about Trump’s moves in Latin America?Today's Big Question ‘Bitter memories’ surface as the US targets Venezuela 
- 
 Is the ceasefire in Gaza really working? Is the ceasefire in Gaza really working?Today's Big Question Neither Israel and Hamas has an interest in a full return to hostilities but ‘brutally simple arithmetic’ in region may scupper peace plan long-term 
- 
 No Kings rally: What did it achieve? No Kings rally: What did it achieve?Feature The latest ‘No Kings’ march has become the largest protest in U.S. history 
- 
 Young Republicans: Does the GOP have a Nazi problem? Young Republicans: Does the GOP have a Nazi problem?Feature Leaked chats from members of the Young Republican National Federation reveal racist slurs and Nazi jokes 
- 
 Push for Ukraine ceasefire collapses Push for Ukraine ceasefire collapsesFeature Talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were called off after the Russian president refused to compromise on his demands