Mike Pence has weighed in on Rep. Ilhan Omar's controversial tweets.
Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday slammed freshman Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, who is embroiled in controversy over recent social media posts that many have deemed anti-Semitic. "@IlhanMN tweets were a disgrace & her apology was inadequate," Pence tweeted. "Anti-Semitism has no place in the United States Congress, much less the Foreign Affairs Committee. Those who engage in anti-Semitic tropes should not just be denounced, they should face consequences for their words."
Hours prior, President Trump called for her resignation.
Politico reports: "Trump brought up Omar's tweets in a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday, calling Omar's apology for the tweets 'lame' and insincere, and contending that the sentiment conveyed in the Twitter posts are 'deep-seated in her heart.'" The tweets in question suggested that "Israel's allies in American politics were motivated by money rather than principle" and drew rebukes from both Democrats and Republicans, notes the Washington Post. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders condemned Omar's comments, with Pelosi also noting: "Congresswoman Omar and I agreed that we must use this moment to move forward as we reject anti-Semitism in all form." "Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes," Omar stated in her apology. "My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole. I unequivocally apologize."