Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is facing intense backlash after being caught on camera smiling at the scene of a devastating Catholic church attack in her district.
Omar visited the Assumption Church site in Minneapolis on Thursday following a horrific shooting that left two children dead and 17 others wounded.
During her visit, Omar told reporters that her “heart breaks for the families and the victims of this tragic mourning year in Minneapolis.” She added that authorities do not “know much” about the shooter apart from the fact that he was found dead at the scene.
“We are going to learn more about motives and what more can be done to make sure we can avoid tragedies like this,” Omar said.
But while Omar tried to project grief and concern, photos from her visit told a different story.
One viral image showed her with a wide smile as she mingled with people outside the church, per the Conservative Brief.
Critics slammed the Democrat for appearing cheerful at the very site where families were grieving.
The photo clashed directly with her later statements calling the attack an “unspeakable horror.”
Omar later appeared on CNN, where she told viewers, “When Congress returns next week, I am calling on my colleagues, for us to put aside our differences and recognize that partisanship is not saving our children.”
She continued, “We need to figure out a way as a nation to resolve this uniquely American issue. Enough is enough.”
By “uniquely American,” Omar was pointing at firearms, again pushing her calls for sweeping gun restrictions.
On MSNBC, Omar doubled down by calling the shooting a “senseless act of violence” and declaring, “It is beyond despicable that elected leaders are more concerned with appeasing the gun lobby than keeping our children safe.”
In her official statement, Omar said she was “beyond heartbroken” and claimed, “As a mom and Minneapolis resident, my heart is utterly shattered.” She added that “the loss of life is unthinkable.”
“I am especially thinking of the two beautiful children who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence,” Omar continued. “We cannot continue to fail our kids with the lack of federal action.”
But her critics pointed out that the smiling photo undermines her entire message. Many noted that her public tone of grief sharply contrasted with her demeanor on the ground.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara also told reporters that the shooter’s motive remains “unknown” despite widespread speculation.
For Omar, this is only the latest controversy. Her history of inflammatory remarks about Christians and Jews has repeatedly sparked outrage. Now her reaction to the church shooting is fueling even more questions about her credibility and judgment.
The photo of her smiling at the scene has gone viral across social media, with critics accusing her of insincerity, hypocrisy, and blatant disrespect for the victims.
