(Washington Insider Magazine) – Allegations of normalized bigotry against Muslims are swirling around members of the Republican Congressional caucus.
In both September and November of this year, Lauren Boebert — the U.S. Representative of Colorado’s Third District — made remarks about fellow Representative, Ilhan Omar. Videos have recently surfaced of Boebert claiming that she joked to a Capitol Police officer that they were all probably safe because Omar — who was standing in the vicinity — wasn’t wearing a backpack. The implication, of course, was that Omar — who is a Muslim — may be a radicalized suicide bomber.
The comments caused Boebert immediate backlash online with many people calling her “joke” both anti-Muslim and Islamophobic. Boebert is also reported to have said that Omar and another Muslim Democratic House member, Rashida Tlaib, were part of the “Jihad squad” and were “black-hearted evil.”
This would not be the first time that Omar has experienced anti-Muslim sentiment. In fact, she has received numerous anonymous death threats on more than one occasion and was the victim of a false social media story in which she was said to have married her brother. As a result of past experiences, Pelosi requested that Capitol Police give Omar extra security to keep her safe.
Many politicians have condemned Boebert’s comments and have spoken out against the Islamophobia in American politics and society in general. In fact, some Republican Representatives, including Fred Upton and Adam Kinzinger, have reached out to Omar to express their disagreement with Boebert’s actions and comments. Omar stated that they are now being ridiculed and ostracized by other members of the Republican party, stating that the issues of Islamophobia and Muslim hate are party-wide and run deep.
People are unsure as to how Boebert’s comments are going to be handled. Omar feels “confident” that Nancy Pelosi will take “decisive action” against Boebert, adding that Kevin McCarthy, the House’s Minority Leader, is incapable of taking action. Although Boebert may have her conservative supporters, many prominent progressives in the House — such as Representative Ayanna Presley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — are demanding that action be taken against Boebert.
It’s likely that Pelosi will make an attempt to punish Boebert; in fact, some have already suggested that she be removed from all committees. However, such a move will likely cause massive pushback from Boebert’s numerous GOP supporters. In all likelihood, Boebert’s comments will drive the wedge of political polarization even deeper into the House of Representatives.
