Rep. Lauren Boebert Apologizes For Insinuating Rep. Ilhan Omar Was A Terrorist

Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert is walking back her offensive anti-Muslim comments regarding Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.

On Thanksgiving, a Twitter account called PatriotTakes posted a video showing Boebert speaking to a crowd and implying that Omar was a terrorist, which sparked widespread outrage. In the clip, Boebert says that while she was taking an elevator in the Capitol, she saw a police officer running towards her and noticed Omar standing next to her.

”Well, she doesn’t have a backpack. We should be fine,” Boebert recounted the incident to the audience, who began laughing. “And I said, ‘Oh look, the jihad squad decided to show up for work today.’”

Over the Thanksgiving break, Lauren Boebert said she was recently in a Capitol elevator with Ilhan Omar when a fretful Capitol police officer ran up.

Lauren Boebert said: “Well, she doesn’t have a backpack. We should be fine.”

Boebert then called Ilhan Omar, “jihad squad.” pic.twitter.com/Y7f0nFbnud

— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 25, 2021

Many democrats slammed Boebert for her comments, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Omar herself, who called for the House and other republicans to reprimand Boebert.

“Anti-Muslim bigotry isn’t funny & shouldn’t be normalized. Congress can’t be a place where hateful and dangerous Muslims tropes get no condemnation,” Omar tweeted.

Fact, this buffoon looks down when she sees me at the Capitol, this whole story is made up. Sad she thinks bigotry gets her clout.

Anti-Muslim bigotry isn’t funny & shouldn’t be normalized. Congress can’t be a place where hateful and dangerous Muslims tropes get no condemnation. https://t.co/S1APT7RbqW

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 26, 2021

On Friday, Boebert took to Twitter to offer an apology, though many users called her out for its insincerity.

“I apologize to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment about Rep. Omar,” she wrote. She added, “There are plenty of policy differences to focus on without this unnecessary distraction.”

I apologize to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment about Rep. Omar. I have reached out to her office to speak with her directly. There are plenty of policy differences to focus on without this unnecessary distraction.

— Rep. Lauren Boebert (@RepBoebert) November 26, 2021

The Black Caucus called Boebert’s “uniquely grotesque brand of bigotry” despicable.

As of now, Boebert has not faced consequences for her remarks.