Four Republicans Join Dems To Defeat Omar Censure Motion
The House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly rejected a resolution to censure far-left Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) for her controversial remarks following the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.
The measure failed by a razor-thin 214–213 vote, thanks in part to four Republicans — Reps. Mike Flood (Neb.), Tom McClintock (Calif.), Jeff Hurd (Colo.), and Cory Mills (Fla.) — who crossed the aisle to join Democrats in blocking the effort.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) as a privileged motion, would have forced swift House consideration within two legislative days.
Omar’s Comments Spark Outrage
Omar ignited backlash after an interview with the left-wing outlet Zeteo, where she took aim at Kirk’s legacy just days after his assassination. She accused him of “downplaying slavery” and mocked conservatives who remembered him as someone who sought honest debate.
“There are a lot of people out there talking about him just wanting to have a civil debate,” Omar sneered. “There is nothing more effed up than to completely pretend that his words and actions have not been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so.”
Kirk, who spent years traveling the country engaging college students in open dialogue, was celebrated by conservatives for his courage in defending free-market principles and American values on hostile campuses.
Rep. Mace condemned Omar’s rhetoric in blunt terms.
“If you’re Somalia first, you’re not America first, and a one-way ticket to Somalia is the nicest thing we could do,” Mace told Explain America.
She later doubled down on X:
“If you celebrate murder, maybe Somalia can take you back.”
In another statement to Fox News Digital, Mace said Omar’s comments amounted to mocking Kirk’s assassination. “Now she’s lashing out because we called her out. What’s not ‘well’ is celebrating political violence. What’s not ‘smart’ is defending it. Omar should be ashamed of herself. Omar can throw insults all day, but it won’t save her from accountability. She crossed the line, and we’re not letting her get away with it. Go back to Somalia.”
Free Speech Defense Splits GOP
Rep. McClintock explained his vote against the resolution by citing First Amendment protections.
“Ilhan Omar’s comments regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk are vile and contemptible. They deserve the harshest criticism of every man and woman of goodwill. But this disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment.”
He added:
“Censure is formal punishment by the House, and we have already gone too far down this road. Omar’s comments were not made in the House, and even if they were, they broke no House rules.”
Omar Backpedals — Then Blames Trump
Facing heavy backlash, Omar later posted on X that her “heart breaks for his wife and children” and claimed she does not condone violence. But in typical Democrat fashion, she immediately pivoted to blaming President Trump.
“Right-wing accounts trying to spin a false story when I condemned his murder multiple times is fitting for their agenda to villainize the left to hide from the fact that Donald Trump gins up hate on a daily basis,” she claimed.
The move to shield Omar from accountability underscores how the left — and some establishment Republicans — continue to excuse radical rhetoric even when it mocks the assassination of a husband, father, and conservative icon.