US Republican Congresswoman makes rare apology for 'jihad squad' comment about Ilhan Omar

Far-right Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has offered a qualified apology to "the Muslim community" after calling fellow US Representative Ilhan Omar a "jihad squad member".

World

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

27 November, 2021

Many refused to accept Boebert's apology, saying her comments about Ilhan Omar were unacceptable [Getty]

US Republican Representative Lauren Boebert apologised on Friday to the Muslim community after making "racist" remarks about Muslim-American Congresswoman Ilhan Omar last week.

The far-right Colorado congresswoman tweeted her apology after a video circulated on social media showing her referring to Omar as a "jihad squad member" during a House of Representatives debate about censorship and hate speech.

Many people however refused to accept Boebert's apology, saying that her comments about Omar - the first Somali American elected to Congress - were unacceptable, with some accusing her of being insincere, especially because in the apology she stated that her comments had become an "unnecessary distraction" from policy differences.

"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," Boebert tweeted.

Many people replied saying that the apology was "not accepted", or calling it a "cop out".

I was offended as a citizen. This is not the first time you've done this. I am certain it won't be the last. It's time to either grow up and take real responsibility or resign your position and find a new gig. This was not okay. Apology not accepted.
— JadeinNM (@Jadeinnm) November 26, 2021

Political Campaign and Business Consultant Fred Wellman described her comments as "racist" and told her to "represent all Americans or get the hell out of office".

It was racist. It wasn’t a policy difference. You’re an Islamaphobic bigot and you meant every word you said. Don’t play games. This is a cop out because you got caught on camera this time. Either represent all Americans or get the hell out of office.
— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) November 26, 2021