Reps. Lauren Boebert and Ilhan Omar Engage In Apology War

Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) had a tense exchange with Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MN) over the former’s remarks about the latter. The phone call ended later with both House representatives demanding an apology from each other.

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Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Previous Remarks

In an Instagram post, Rep. Lauren Boebert said she organized the call with Omar last Monday. She wanted to let Omar know that she reflected on her previous remarks about her.

Boebert’s remarks surfaced last week when a video captured the Colorado representative telling a story in front of a local audience.

Boebert said she once shared an elevator with Omar, and she saw a US Capitol Police officer running toward them. “I looked to my left and there she is Ilhan Omar. And I said, ‘Well, she does not have a backpack — we should be OK.' ” 

Boebert also referred to Omar as a member of the “Jihad Squad,” a not-so-subtle dig at Omar’s membership to The Squad. However, Omar denied that the elevator incident with Boebert ever happened. 

When the video went viral, Democrats expressed outrage. She eventually put out a statement over her remarks. On Friday, the far-right congresswoman tweeted an apology “to anyone in the Muslim community” offended by her comments.

However, she did not issue a direct apology to Omar. “I apologize to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment about Rep. Omar,” Boebert said in a Friday statement.

“I have reached out to her office to speak with her directly. There are plenty of policy differences to focus on without this unnecessary distraction,” she tweeted. 

Boebert Calls Omar Over Remarks

“Now as a strong, Christian woman who values faith deeply, I never want anything I say to offend someone's religion. So I told her that.

Even after I put out a public statement to that effect, she said that she still wanted a public apology because what I had done wasn't good enough. So I reiterated to her what I had just said,” Boebert continued on Instagram. 

During the phone call, Omar kept asking Boebert to issue a public apology. Instead, Boebert said that Omar should make a public apology to the American people.

She needs to apologize for her previous “anti-American, anti-Semitic, anti-police rhetoric”. When Omar continued to demand an apology, Boebert pressed back. “And then, Representative Omar hung up on me,” Boebert said.  

Omar Tells Her Side

Meanwhile, Rep. Ilhan Omar issued a statement blaming Boebert for how the call unfolded. She accused Boebert of making up an “anti-Muslim” story about her while speaking to supporters.

In addition, she also confirmed that she hung up the phone with her Colorado colleague. “Today I graciously accepted a call from Rep. Lauren Boebert in the hope of receiving a direct apology for falsely claiming she met me in an elevator, suggesting I was a terrorist, and for a history of anti-Muslim hate,” Omar said. 

“Instead of apologizing for her Islamophobic comments and fabricated lies, Rep. Boebert refused to publicly acknowledge her hurtful and dangerous comments.

She instead doubled down on her rhetoric and I decided to end the unproductive call.” 

Watch the Denver 7 News Channel video reporting that Boebert's apology call with Omar ends with Minnesota congresswoman hanging up:

Who do you think should apologize, Rep. Lauren Boebert or Rep. Ilhan Omar? Why do you think each one should apologize?

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