Thursday, the House-led GOP unanimously voted to remove democratic representative Ilhan Omar from her seat on the House foreign affairs committee. It was an act that seemed all too typical when it comes to American politics and the tendency it has to either use the voices of BIPOC individuals to promote their reactionary impulses or completely shut them down if they don’t fall in line.
And it’s not like Omar didn’t fall in line.
She’s still a member of the Squad who has gotten their share of deserved criticism from leftists for simply not pushing the envelope enough on Capitol Hill. However, a black, Muslim woman who immigrated from Somalia was just way too much for the GOP-led House and any backward agenda they’re going to pursue. I mean, no reasonable person can actually believe that Omar was removed for antisemitism when the House currently has Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Paul Gosar on committees, two representatives who attended an event hosted by Nazi sympathizer Nick Fuentes do they?
We can’t let Democrats off the hook though, especially when you look back at the number of them who were condemning Omar over the same ridiculous accusations of antisemitism that the GOP was pushing. But low and behold, those same democrats who wouldn’t come to the aid of Omar then are all of a sudden coming to her aid now, ironically when it’s too late.
“When Democrats were in control of the House, they were often attacking her for the same exact thing and throwing her under the bus when Republicans started criticizing her,” said Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action. “They have created an environment that shows that they are willing to attack and throw under the bus any member of their own party who calls for Palestinian human rights.”
The Intercept
Even before she was voted to be removed, this week Omar received a death threat something she says increases “whenever Republicans put a target on my back.”
Nonetheless, in the wake of the GOP’s actions, Omar was moved to the Budget Committee by Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York who said: “she will defend Democratic values against right-wing extremism.” God willing for many years to come. Meanwhile, Omar stated in the aftermath that “My leadership and voice will not be diminished if I am not on this committee for one term,” adding “My voice will get louder and stronger.” S
