Representative Nancy Mace filed a resolution Monday seeking to censure Representative Ilhan Omar and strip her of committee assignments after the Minnesota Democrat made controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his assassination, intensifying political tensions over appropriate responses to political violence.
The South Carolina Republican's resolution aims to remove Omar from the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the House Budget Committee, citing her September 11 appearance on the "Breaking Points" podcast, where she criticized public mourning for Kirk and called people defending his legacy "full of s” Omar also shared a video describing Kirk as a "stochastic terrorist" and "reprehensible human being" who promoted hatred until his final moments.
Dual Republican Efforts Target Omar's Committee Roles
Two separate House Republicans introduced competing resolutions Monday targeting Omar's committee assignments. Representative Buddy Carter of Georgia filed a one-page resolution focusing solely on committee removal, while Mace's three-page measure seeks both censure and committee stripping.
"Ilhan Omar has shown us exactly who she is: someone who defends political violence and refuses to condemn the loss of innocent lives when it doesn't suit her agenda, even the cold-blooded assassination of Charlie Kirk," Mace declared in her statement.
Mace's resolution specifically accuses Omar of "defending political violence" and showing "indifference" toward Kirk's killing, claiming she "smeared Charlie Kirk and implied he was to blame for his own murder". The measure would require Omar to stand in the House well for a formal reprimand by Speaker Mike Johnson if passed.
Omar's Controversial Interview Sparks Backlash
The censure effort stems from Omar's September 11 interview with progressive outlet Zeteo, where she discussed Kirk's death while criticizing his past positions on race, police reform, and gun violence. During the interview with host Mehdi Hasan, Omar expressed condolences to Kirk's family before launching into criticism of his political legacy.
"It was really mortifying to hear the news," Omar said initially, adding that her "heart breaks" for Kirk's children and wife. However, she then criticized Kirk's past statements, including his positions on Juneteenth and George Floyd's death, arguing that people praising him were engaging in historical revisionism.
"There is nothing more f-ed up than to completely pretend that his words and actions have not been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so," Omar stated during the Zeteo interview.
Presidential Condemnation Amplifies Political Stakes
President Donald Trump escalated the controversy Monday by calling Omar a "disgraceful person" and a "loser" when asked whether she should lose her committee assignments. Trump expressed disbelief that voters continued supporting Omar, adding, "But I think she's a disgusting person".
The presidential criticism adds significant political weight to the censure effort, particularly given Trump's influence within the Republican Party and his history of targeting Omar and other members of "The Squad". The controversy has become a rallying point for Republicans seeking to highlight what they characterize as Democratic tolerance for political violence.
Historical Context of House Censure Actions
If successful, Omar would become the 29th lawmaker in U.S. history to face formal censure by the House of Representatives. The chamber has increasingly used censure as a disciplinary tool in recent years, with former Representative Adam Schiff facing censure in 2023 for promoting allegations of Trump-Russia collusion.
House censure requires a simple majority vote and represents a formal statement of disapproval that stops short of expulsion. The process involves the censured member standing in the House well while the Speaker reads the resolution of condemnation, though it carries no legal penalties beyond committee removal if specified.
Omar previously faced committee removal in February 2023 when Republicans stripped her from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over past comments about Israel deemed antisemitic by critics. Democratic leadership subsequently appointed her to the Budget Committee, where she currently serves alongside her role on the Education and Workforce Committee.
FBI Investigation Continues Into Kirk Assassination
The political firestorm over Omar's comments continues as federal investigators work to build their case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with Kirk's murder. FBI Director Kash Patel announced Monday that DNA evidence collected from the Utah Valley University shooting scene matches the suspect in custody.
Kirk, who was 31, died September 10 while speaking to students in Orem, Utah, approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. The shooting occurred during Kirk's "American Comeback Tour," part of his extensive campus speaking circuit that made him a prominent figure in conservative student activism.
Patel emphasized that the FBI investigation remains active, with agents continuing to interview witnesses and analyze forensic evidence, including cell phone data. The findings are being shared with federal and local prosecutors for their consideration in charging decisions.
Broader Crackdown on "Left-Wing Violence" Rhetoric
The censure effort represents part of a broader Trump administration initiative targeting what officials characterize as "left-wing terrorism" following Kirk's assassination. Multiple Texas universities have disciplined students for mocking Kirk's death, while the Texas Education Agency is investigating 180 complaints against teachers who made inappropriate social media comments.
Republican lawmakers have positioned the response as necessary to restore civility and accountability in political discourse, particularly on college campuses where Kirk frequently spoke. However, civil liberties advocates warn that the coordinated disciplinary actions could chill legitimate political speech and debate.
Omar Defends Her Position Amid Growing Pressure
Omar has attempted to clarify her remarks while defending her right to criticize Kirk's political positions. In social media posts, she emphasized that she condemned Kirk's murder "multiple times" and accused "right-wing accounts" of spinning a "false story" for political gain.
"I disagreed with Charlie Kirk vehemently about his rhetoric, but I do not wish violence on anyone," Omar stated, arguing that her critics were trying to "villainize the left to hide from the fact that Donald Trump gins up hate daily". She maintained that discussing Kirk's documented political positions did not constitute celebrating his death.
Political Implications for House Dynamics
The censure resolution faces uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled House, where leadership must balance political messaging with legislative priorities. While the measure would likely pass along party lines if brought to a vote, the timing and political calculations remain unclear.
The effort also highlights the continuing tensions surrounding committee assignments and disciplinary actions, which have become increasingly partisan tools in recent years. Democratic leaders have criticized such moves as "political revenge," while Republicans argue they represent necessary accountability for inappropriate conduct.
As the House considers multiple disciplinary measures targeting Omar and investigates broader patterns of political violence rhetoric, the controversy underscores deepening polarization over how lawmakers should respond to assassination and political violence in an increasingly volatile political environment.