The backlash is intensifying after Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and several other Democrats made controversial remarks downplaying sympathy for murdered Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Omar’s Remarks
In an interview with progressive outlet Zeteo, Omar scoffed at tributes describing Kirk’s mission as fostering civil debate.
“There are a lot of people who are talking about him [Kirk] just wanting to have a civil debate,” Omar said.
“These people are full of s— and it’s important for us to call them out while we feel anger and sadness.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar is happy Charlie Kirk was kiIIed: “He downplayed George Floyd. He opposed Juneteenth.”
Look at their grins pic.twitter.com/Ra5Eg4MZ3k
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) September 11, 2025
The Minnesota Democrat attacked Kirk’s record, citing his opposition to Juneteenth as a federal holiday and his criticism of the George Floyd narrative.
Ilhan Omar
“There is nothing more f—ed up than to pretend that his words and actions haven’t been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so,” she added, accusing Kirk of spreading “hateful rhetoric.”
Pritzker and Kelly Weigh In
Omar is not the only Democrat under scrutiny for remarks following Kirk’s killing.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker suggested President Donald Trump bore responsibility for the 31-year-old activist’s assassination.
“Political violence unfortunately has been ratcheting up in this country,” Pritzker told reporters, referencing the recent murder of Minnesota’s Democratic House speaker.
“I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country — I think the president’s rhetoric often foments it.”
JB Pritzker
Pritzker made no mention of the two recent assassination attempts against Trump himself.
Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) took a “both-sides” approach, blaming “political rhetoric” generally for the sniper attack that killed Kirk during a campus event in Utah.
