(LifeSiteNews) — Democrat U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota said she has “nothing to apologize for” after again dismissing the legacy of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month.
Speaking with broadcaster Don Lemon, Omar repeated her claim that Kirk left behind no honorable record, describing his career as “filled with bigotry, hatred and white supremacy.”
“It is a tragedy that Charlie Kirk was killed in that way. I feel for his widow and his children,” Omar told Lemon. “But there is no legacy to honor.”
Omar, one of the most outspoken progressives in Congress, said her refusal to soften her stance stems from her identity. “As a black woman and as a Muslim in this country, I refuse to join the chorus that changes the history of what is on the record from this man,” she said.
“I am not going to be bullied into complacency (just) to make them feel comfortable,” she added.
Her comments follow weeks of backlash over remarks made shortly after Kirk’s death. Earlier this month, she defended a social media post comparing him with “Dr. Frankenstein” and saying that “his monster shot him through the neck.”
Omar hit back against criticisms, told to CNN host Kaitlan Collins that Congress moving to honor Kirk was more scandalous and offensive than her comment.
“They want to produce resolutions in the House of Congress, honoring his life and legacy,” Omar said. “It is one thing to care about his life … but I am not going to sit here and be judged for not wanting to honor any legacy this man has left behind.”
His legacy “should be in the dustbin of history,” she added.
President Donald Trump slammed Omar around this time, referring to her links with Somalia and reviving the accusation that she had “married her brother in order to gain citizenship” – an allegation that Omar denies.
⚡️🇺🇸JUST IN: U.S President Trump on Ilhan Omar:
“Somalia is consistently ranked among the World’s Most Corrupt Countries”
“Wasn’t she the one that married her brother in order to gain Citizenship??? What SCUM we have in our Country, telling us what to do, and how to do it.” pic.twitter.com/j47ZvWPSS9
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws1) September 18, 2025
Republicans also sought to formally censure Omar for her statements. A resolution introduced by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina accused Omar of smearing Kirk and implying he bore responsibility for his own murder. The measure failed in a 214-213 vote after four Republicans joined Democrats to table it.
For now, Omar shows no sign of retreat. “We should hopefully move on and forget the hate that he spewed every single day,” she said.