FLASHBACK: Ilhan Omar said Americans should ‘be more fearful of white men’ because they ‘are causing most deaths’

The comments, originally made in a 2018 interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, have gone viral on social media. During the interview, Omar stated, “I would say our country should be more fearful of white men across our country because they are actually causing most of the deaths within this country.” She went on to call for the US to begin “profiling, monitoring, and creating policies to fight the radicalization of white men.”

The interview also included criticism of then-President Donald Trump, whom Omar accused of empowering right-wing hate groups through dehumanizing rhetoric. “I think when you… demonize and dehumanize, it is easy for people to commit acts of violence against those individuals because they no longer see them as a person, as someone who has feelings, who’s worth of respect. We are moving away from this idea that we are supposed to be a welcoming nation.”

The resurfaced comments have prompted a new wave of backlash against the congresswoman. It also comes after she made headlines last week for dismissing a reporter who attempted to question her about Democratic lawmakers’ controversial visit to El Salvador in support of deported illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. When pressed for comment, Omar reportedly told the journalist to “F*ck off.”

Omar’s rhetoric has been echoed by other progressive Democrats. Representative Jasmine Crockett faced criticism in November for stating that it is “the MAGA gang” and “white supremacists” who are responsible for rising crime in cities, rather than criminal illegal immigrants tied to gang activity.