Scorecard Research Beacon
Search Icon
News January 15, 2021

Rep. Ilan Omar calls on Americans to take "guise of White supremacy" more seriously

WATCH: Ilhan Omar talks Trump impeachment, threats against Congress

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., joined "GMA3: What You Need To Know" on Friday to discuss President Donald Trump's second impeachment proceedings, the insurrection at the Capitol, and the uptick in activity from White supremacist groups across the country.

"We have been so focused and so conditioned to be fearful of the external threats that we have that we forgot to look at the internal threats," Omar said. "The guise of White supremacy has proven to be very deadly for our country and for its people, and for far too long, people have not taken it seriously."

Omar cited law enforcement's delayed response in last week's Capitol riot as "very different" than the police response to the "uprising that was happening in the summer for the lives of Black people."

Editor's Picks

The congresswoman went on to call on Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to "immediately reconvene the Senate for the impeachment trial" of President Trump after the House passed a resolution to remove him from office.

PHOTO: Rep. Ilhan Omar talks about President Trump's second impeachment proceedings and the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, on ABC's "GMA3: What You Need To Know," Jan. 15, 2021.
Rep. Ilhan Omar talks about President Trump's second impeachment proceedings and the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, on ABC's "GMA3: What You Need To Know," Jan. 15, 2021.

Omar has been particularly vocal in calling for President Trump's removal in the days following the insurrection at the Capitol that left five dead, including a police officer. She drafted articles of impeachment against Trump, placing blame squarely on the president for his “open act of sedition” against the government, before co-sponsoring Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline's impeachment resolution that was ultimately passed as it had more support among House Democratic leadership.

If the past four years have shown us anything, it's that the President and his collaborators become more emboldened when they are not held accountable for their crimes.

The constitutional remedy for a high crime and misdemeanor committed by the President is clear: impeachment. pic.twitter.com/cjIuUhPIHQ

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 4, 2021

For years, we have been asked to turn a blind eye to the criminality of this Administration.

We can no longer look away.

The President not only incited an insurrection against our government, but has in word and deed, led a rebellion. pic.twitter.com/lrsmNINaL5

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 13, 2021

When asked about ongoing security threats to members of Congress, including Omar herself, the Minnesota representative remained resilient and called on both her Democratic and Republican colleagues to do the same.

"I do believe that it takes courage to serve," Omar said. "If you are too afraid to do the work on behalf of your constituents and the country, you should think about resigning."