Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Anger as Boebert refers to ‘jihad squad’ in debate about Republican video depicting murder of AOC

Republican has a long history of bigoted comments

Bevan Hurley
Thursday 18 November 2021 08:29 GMT
Comments
Boebert calls Ilhan Omar a member of the 'jihad squad'
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Lauren Boebert has referred to Ilhan Omar as the “jihad squad member from Minnesota” during a House debate on Wednesday.

Ms Boebert faced intense criticism on social media for the inflammatory comment during a debate over whether Paul Gosar should be censured for posting an anime clip depicting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez being killed.

Ms Boebert also spread an unfounded smear that Ms Omar had paid $1m in campaign funds to “her husband, and not her brother-husband but the other one”.

“While she’s insulting her colleagues and blowing racist dogwhistles, folks in her district are struggling to get by,” wrote Donald Valdez, a Democrat who is running to unseat Ms Boebert in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.

Bakari Sellers, a former Member of Congress from South Carolina, said: “How is Lauren Boebert a member of Congress?”

“This is racist and disgusting,” wrote another person on Twitter.

SE Cupp, a CNN contributor and host, said: “There are simply no words for Boebert. She doesn’t deserve any, and I don’t feel like trying.”

“Just vile s***,” Huffington Post reporter Christopher Mathias said.

Aaron Rupar, a journalist who tracks right-wing extremism, said: “Today has been a good reminder of what the consequences would be of the GOP taking control of one or both chambers of Congress following the midterms.

“This is an unhinged, dangerous, bigoted, irredeemable party.”

The Squad is a term used to describe progressive, minority members of the Democratic Party in the House of Congress, including Ms Omar, Ms Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib.

On Tuesday, the home of Ms Boebert’s former campaign manager Tina Peters was raided by the FBI.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in