Oh, to have the composure of Rep. Ilhan Omar.
While addressing a town hall — remember those, Republicans? — the Minnesota Democrat was approached by a man who sprayed her with “a foul-smelling liquid” from a syringe.
After security officers removed the man, Rep. Omar, though visibly shaken, insisted on further addressing the crowd, saying, “Here’s the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand. We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they throw at us. I learned at a young age you don’t give in to threats.”
Just hours before the attack, President Donald Trump had mocked Rep. Omar for routinely referring to the U.S. Constitution and the protections it affords.
Trump also questioned her loyalty, saying immigrants “have to show that they can love our country. They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar.”
When asked Tuesday evening if he had watched the one-minute video clip of the attack on Omar, Trump said, “No. I hope I don’t have to bother,” and alleged that Omar had staged the attack.
“She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her,” he said.
Such compassion.
Rep. Omar, a native of war-torn Somalia, and her family immigrated to the United States as refugees when she was 12 years old.
Now 44, she has worked in public service all her adult life. She is married with three children. This is her fifth term representing the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
What’s happening in the United States is much broader than a crackdown on illegal immigrants.
It’s systemic racism against minorities based on the color of their skin, their accent and their religion.
Even the conservative Wall Street Journal has called out the administration’s tactics, saying Trump’s campaign promise of deporting migrants with a criminal record has “become far broader,” and that only about 25 percent of those arrested have criminal records with the majority being pulled from prisons.
ICE’s stated goal of arresting 3,000 immigrants a day means the vast majority are innocent of committing any crimes.
I applaud those protesting these police state practices. And I pray they result in positive change.
