Ilhan Omar refuses to comment on DC shooting in viral video, issues statement later

The video of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar walking away and saying 'I'm going to go for now', when she was asked to comment on the murders of two Israeli diplomats, went viral. After drawing flak for her insensitivity captured on the camera, the Somali-American issued a statement in which she said she was "appalled" by the shooting. "I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night," Omar said in a post on X on Thursday. "Holding the victims, their families, and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Violence should have no place in our country."

Diplomats Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim -- a young couple who were soon to be engaged -- were gunned down as they were departing the Capital Jewish Museum after attending an event.

30 -year-old Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago man, admitted to having killed them when the police arrived to arrest him as he chanted 'free, free Palestine'. The antisemitism attack taking place in Washington shocked the administration, and all pro-Palestine voices have been targeted on social media. Omar has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause; her daughter Isra Hirsi was also arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia last year.

"Too late. You spew so much hate. You hate Israel. You hate Jewish people. You hate America. Resign," one wrote in reply to Ilhan Omar's statement. "I am appalled by you. Please go back to Somalia," another wrote. "Why couldn't you condemn the shooting when you were asked on camera about it earlier?" one asked.

"Those who were waiting for the post, finally it is here, but deep down she is screaming Free Palestine," one wrote. The White House Thursday said President Donald Trump is saddened and outraged over the brutal murder of the Israeli embassy staff members. “The evil of anti-Semitism must be eradicated from our society,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that the Department of Justice will prosecute the perpetrator “to the fullest extent of the law.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Trump after the shooting and thanked the administration for its effort to combat antisemitism.