Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren has sharply criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), labeling her “the perfect poster child for why we need a closed border.” Lahren’s remarks came during her appearance on The Big Weekend Show on October 15, 2023, following Omar’s comments opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent immigration enforcement actions.
In a field hearing on immigration in St. Paul, Omar voiced her concerns, stating, “The one place where we thought we would never experience this is the U.S.” Lahren’s response was scathing. She suggested that Omar symbolizes the need for stricter border controls and criticized her views on immigration law enforcement. “I actually have to thank Congresswoman Ilhan Omar because she has served as the perfect poster child for why we need a closed border,” Lahren stated.
Lahren also referenced remarks made by California Rep. Eric Swalwell, who recently pledged to revoke the driver’s licenses of ICE agents if he becomes governor. She accused Democrats of siding with illegal immigrants, asserting, “They want the illegal aliens to get driver’s licenses, but they want to take the driver’s licenses from ICE agents who are enforcing federal immigration law.”
Omar’s comments have ignited backlash from conservative circles, including calls for her deportation from activist Laura Loomer. Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee expressed outrage, while billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk controversially suggested that Omar should be tried for treason. Former congressman George Santos added to the criticism, questioning Omar’s loyalty to the United States, claiming, “I call her the enemy within.”
Omar has faced sustained scrutiny from conservative figures, particularly since she publicly condemned ICE’s actions during a surge in Los Angeles. In a previous statement, she compared the situation to her experiences growing up in a dictatorship, expressing her dismay at what she perceives as a decline in American democratic values.
Tensions in Minnesota have escalated following the recent police shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. The incident has sparked protests against the federal immigration enforcement operations that have seen an increase in ICE agents deployed to the state. In response, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has demanded that federal law enforcement “get the f*** out” of the city.
Former President Donald Trump has responded to the unrest by threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has placed the National Guard on standby. The Department of Justice announced an investigation into Frey and Walz for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement efforts. Frey referred to the investigation as “ridiculous” and described his city as “under siege” during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union.
The ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the United States continues to evoke strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, with Omar’s criticism of ICE serving as a focal point for these discussions.