Omar says Johnson aroused ‘anger and hatred’ with visit to Colombia

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) took aim at House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) visit to Columbia University on Wednesday, saying he was creating more “anger and hatred” by making the visit.

“This is a man who maintains his presidency. He knows he could be at risk,” said Omar. he said on MSNBC’s “Alex Wagner Tonight.” “And it’s not surprising that he would go to Columbia University and really stir up more anger and hatred and endanger the lives of the young people who are at the Columbia University camp.”

Johnson paid a visit to Columbia University on Wednesday alongside other Republican lawmakers to address the rise in pro-Palestinian protests on its campus and at other schools across the country, as students demonstrated against the ongoing war in Gaza. . During the visit, however, they were met with protests from students and were often shouted down when making their comments.

MSNBC host Alex Wagner asked Omar to explain the “discrepancy” between how Republicans view protesters during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and how they are reacting to pro-Palestinian protests.

“I mean, it’s a complete clown show. These people don’t care about violent protests,” she said. “They don’t care about the First Amendment. They care about their political theater, which is what they do most of the time.”

“These are people who supported the rebels on January 6, who threatened my life, and the lives of all our colleagues, who threatened the peaceful transfer of governance,” he added.

She also mentioned how some Republicans have suggested the National Guard should step in to respond to the protests, saying it’s “really surprising that they want to be taken seriously.” Johnson noted during the press conference that there may come a time when the National Guard could be called in to respond to protests.

“If this is not contained quickly and these threats and intimidation are not stopped, there is an appropriate time for the National Guard,” he said. “We have to bring order to these campuses. We cannot allow this to happen across the country. We’re better than that.”

Omar has been openly against Israel’s actions in Gaza and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the region. His daughter, Isra Hirsi, revealed last week that she was suspended from Columbia University’s Barnard College after participating in a pro-Palestine protest.

The Hill has reached out to Johnson’s office for comment.