Omar Bennett
US Representative Ilhan Omar and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib have both been accused of being against the US Constitution. Omar, a Muslim, has been accused of having a greater allegiance to the Quran than to the Constitution. She has also been accused of antisemitism and making disparaging remarks about Jews and Israel. Tlaib, meanwhile, has accused former President Trump of acting unconstitutionally by attempting to eliminate the Department of Education. She has also accused President Biden of violating the Constitution by deploying US troops to Israel without Congressional approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Defending Rashida Tlaib's comments about Israel | Ilhan Omar defended Rashida Tlaib's comments about Israel, which were criticised by Republicans and Democrats alike. |
| Criticising Israel's actions in Gaza | Omar and Tlaib have both criticised Israel's actions in Gaza, with Omar urging the US to push for peace and Tlaib defending the slogan "from the river to the sea". |
| Condemning Hamas attacks | Ilhan Omar has condemned Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens and has referred to the war as a "genocide". |
| Criticising Trump's interference | Omar and Tlaib criticised Trump's interference in Israel's decision to bar their entry, with Omar calling it an "affront". |
| Calling for accountability for Assad's war crimes | Omar and Tlaib introduced a bill to hold Assad accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Syrian Civil War. |
| Oath controversy | Marjorie Taylor Greene tried to force Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib to retake their oaths on a Bible. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ilhan Omar has said Republicans are making a mockery of the Constitution
- Omar opposed President Biden's decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, citing international law
- Rashida Tlaib has been accused of going against the Constitution by supporting the sharing of intelligence with Israel
- Tlaib has been censured for her political speech, despite it being protected under the First Amendment
- Critics claim Omar's allegiance to the Quran means she cannot be loyal to the Constitution
Ilhan Omar has said Republicans are making a mockery of the Constitution
Ilhan Omar, a progressive Democrat from Minnesota, has been vocal about her criticism of the Republican Party and its leaders. In a 2019 interview with MSNBC's AM Joy/w Joy Reid, she argued that Republicans were making a "mockery of the Constitution" by planning to acquit then-President Donald Trump of any wrongdoing during his impeachment proceedings. Omar emphasized that GOP Senate leaders were "abdicating their responsibility and their oath" as senators.
The context behind Omar's statement revolves around the impeachment inquiry into Trump's alleged efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate baseless claims against his political rival, Joe Biden, and a debunked conspiracy theory about Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election. Democrats in Congress believed that Trump abused his power and sought to undermine his opponent by enlisting foreign interference in a US election. The "Obstruction of Congress" charge further highlighted the White House's refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry, including ignoring subpoenas and blocking key witnesses.
Omar's criticism specifically targeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and GOP Senator Lindsey Graham. McConnell had stated that there was "no chance" Trump would be removed from office, indicating his intention to cooperate with the White House counsel. Graham, who chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, repeatedly dismissed the allegations against Trump and vowed to make the trial "die quickly." Omar likened their actions to jurors collaborating with the defense team of a defendant, noting the senators' public statements of partiality.
Ilhan Omar has also been in the news for defending her colleague, Representative Rashida Tlaib, during a vote on whether to censure Tlaib for her comments about Israel. Omar accused Republicans of hypocrisy, pointing out their failure to condemn similar statements made by one of their own, Representative Max Miller. Omar has introduced legislation alongside Tlaib, such as the Justice for Syrians Resolution, aiming to hold Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Overall, Ilhan Omar's statement about Republicans making a "mockery of the Constitution" reflects her stance on issues ranging from impeachment proceedings to foreign policy debates.
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Omar opposed President Biden's decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, citing international law
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar opposed President Biden's decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, citing the potential violation of international law and human rights abuses. Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries due to their indiscriminate nature and ability to cause civilian harm through unexploded ordnance. While the US has not ratified the Oslo Convention, which prohibits the use and transfer of certain weapons, Omar and other progressive members of the House of Representatives argued that the US should not undermine its leadership in advocating for human rights. They asserted that the US can support Ukraine's freedom struggle while also upholding international law and avoiding participation in human rights abuses.
Omar's stance on this issue aligns with her previous advocacy for international justice and accountability for war crimes. She has introduced bills to hold Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad accountable for crimes against humanity and emphasized the importance of enforcing international laws to protect civilians in times of war. In the case of Ukraine, Omar believes that the US can provide support without resorting to the use of cluster munitions, which have a history of causing civilian casualties and extending human suffering beyond the end of military conflicts.
President Biden defended his decision by citing Ukraine's need for ammunition and asserting that the munitions would be used to defend Ukrainian territory and protect Ukrainian citizens. He emphasized that the decision was made in consultation with the defense department and that Ukraine's use of cluster munitions would be limited to their own country. Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, acknowledged the risk of civilian harm from cluster munitions but weighed it against the potential for greater civilian subjugation by Russian forces if Ukraine did not have sufficient artillery.
The debate around providing cluster munitions to Ukraine highlights the complexities of international law and the challenges of balancing strategic interests with humanitarian concerns. While Biden's administration argued that the transfer of munitions was legal and justified, critics like Omar cautioned against the potential for human rights abuses and called for alternative forms of support for Ukraine that would not involve the use of cluster munitions.
While there are differing views on the legality and ethical implications of providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, Omar's opposition to Biden's decision aligns with her consistent advocacy for international justice and human rights. Her stance underscores the ongoing discussions about the role of the US in upholding international norms and prioritizing civilian protection in times of conflict.
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Rashida Tlaib has been accused of going against the Constitution by supporting the sharing of intelligence with Israel
Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, has been accused of going against the Constitution by supporting the sharing of intelligence with Israel. Tlaib, along with Representative Cori Bush, wrote a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their concerns about the administration's unilateral decisions to share intelligence with the Israeli military and deploy troops to Israel and the Middle East. They argued that these actions constitute direct involvement in hostilities in the region and go against the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which grants Congress the sole power to declare war and authorize troop deployments.
Tlaib has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies and actions towards the Palestinians, particularly during the Israel-Hamas war. She has faced criticism and censure from the House of Representatives for her comments, including her defence of the slogan "from the river to the sea", which some interpret as calling for the destruction of Israel. Tlaib has rejected these accusations, stating that the chant is an "aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate".
Her colleague, Representative Ilhan Omar, has defended Tlaib's comments, arguing that Republicans display "glaring hypocrisy" in their condemnation of Tlaib while ignoring similar statements made by their own members. Omar has also faced criticism for her own statements on the Israel-Palestine conflict, including her call to end unconditional weapons sales and military aid to Israel.
The debate surrounding Tlaib's comments highlights the contentious nature of the Israel-Palestine issue in American politics, with some accusing her of holding anti-Israel and antisemitic views. However, supporters argue that criticising Israel's government is not inherently antisemitic and that Tlaib is advocating for the recognition of Palestinian humanity and the need to break cycles of violence.
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Tlaib has been censured for her political speech, despite it being protected under the First Amendment
Rashida Tlaib, the Democratic representative of Michigan and the only Palestinian American in Congress, has been censured by the US House of Representatives for her comments about Israel and Palestine. Tlaib defended the slogan "from the river to the sea", which the Anti-Defamation League says implies "the dismantling of the Jewish state". She also urged lawmakers to join in calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Tlaib called the chant an "aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate".
Tlaib's comments sparked criticism, with Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) saying it "sickens" him to hear colleagues question unconditional weapons sales to Israel. Despite this, Ilhan Omar defended Tlaib, saying that it was "glaring hypocrisy" for Republicans to accuse Tlaib of wanting to "annihilate people" when Max Miller, an Ohio representative, said that Palestine would "probably get eviscerated and go away". Omar also pointed out that Republicans had not acknowledged the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Tlaib's censure has been criticised by some as a violation of her First Amendment right to free speech. Former constitutional law professor Jamie Raskin said that, although he found the phrase "abhorrent", Tlaib was "entitled by the First Amendment to speak her mind". He added that the censure was "not about a First Amendment issue", but about the House taking a position. However, others, including a small circle of progressive lawmakers, voted against the censure, with Ken Buck of Colorado saying: "We lower ourselves when we try to take action against someone else for their words".
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Critics claim Omar's allegiance to the Quran means she cannot be loyal to the Constitution
Critics have claimed that Ilhan Omar's allegiance to the Quran means that she cannot be loyal to the Constitution. However, these claims are unfounded and have been refuted by various sources.
Firstly, it is important to note that Omar did not break any laws when she used a Quran to take her oath of office as a US Representative in 2019. The Constitution does not require the use of a specific religious text for the oath, and historically, members of Congress have used a variety of texts, including the Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad Gita.
Omar's critics have often accused her of antisemitism and insinuating that Jewish-Americans are more loyal to Israel than to the US. In February 2019, Omar stated that she wanted to discuss the political influence that pushes for "allegiance to a foreign country," referring to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a major pro-Israel lobby group. Her comments were deemed offensive by some, including House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel, who asked her to retract her statement. However, Omar stood by her comments, clarifying that she was criticizing Israel and its policies, not targeting Jewish people.
In addition to her comments about Israel, Omar has also introduced resolutions and voted on measures that reflect her commitment to civil and human rights. For example, in July 2019, she co-sponsored a resolution affirming the right of Americans to participate in boycotts for civil and human rights causes, both domestically and internationally. This resolution opposed legislative efforts to limit the use of boycotts to further civil rights.
Furthermore, Omar has defended her colleague, Representative Rashida Tlaib, against accusations of antisemitism. Tlaib faced criticism for defending the slogan "from the river to the sea," which some interpreted as implying the dismantling of the Jewish state. Omar and Tlaib have also introduced a bill to hold Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, demonstrating their commitment to international justice and human rights.
In conclusion, while critics have claimed that Omar's allegiance to the Quran conflicts with her loyalty to the Constitution, there is no evidence to support these claims. Omar's use of the Quran for her oath of office was legal and in line with the practices of other members of Congress. Her comments and actions reflect a commitment to civil and human rights, both in the US and abroad, rather than any disloyalty to the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Ilhan Omar has never said she is against the Constitution. In fact, she has criticised Republicans for making a "mockery of the Constitution" by planning to acquit President Donald Trump of wrongdoing.
Rashida Tlaib has never said she is against the Constitution. She has, however, been censored by the House GOP Conference for political comments that were protected under the First Amendment and the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution.
No, there is no evidence that Ilhan Omar has criticised Rashida Tlaib for being against the Constitution.
No, there is no evidence that Rashida Tlaib has criticised Ilhan Omar for being against the Constitution.
Yes, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib have worked together in the past. In July 2019, Omar introduced a resolution co-sponsored by Tlaib and Georgia representative John Lewis, stating that "all Americans have the right to participate in boycotts in pursuit of civil and human rights at home and abroad, as protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution".
