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”.
Subscribe to 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.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A history of student protest at Columbia University
The Explainer Anti-Israel demonstrations at NYC's Ivy League university echo protests against Vietnam War and South African apartheid
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Can we — the people who have bought so much already — really keep buying more?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Presidential debates are more performance art than actual ways to inform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump, DeSantis meet for first time since primary
Speed Read The former president and the Florida governor have seemingly mended their rivalry
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Justices set to punt on Trump immunity case
Speed Read Conservative justices signaled support for Trump's protection from criminal charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Arizona grand jury indicts 18 in Trump fake elector plot
Speed Read The state charged Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies in 2020 election interference case
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published