Fox News host Jeanine Pirro made a few comments on her Sunday show about Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar that have prompted rebukes from both the right and left, as well as her own media network.
Last week Rep. Ilhan Omar was (indirectly) reprimanded by the Democratic party for repeatedly working in anti-Semitic “dual loyalty” references about pro-Israel politicians.
On Sunday, on “Justice with Judge Jeanine,” Pirro dedicated an “Opinion” segment to addressing Omar’s history of anti-Semitic rhetoric. Stressing that anti-Israel sentiments are not a part of the Democrats platform, host Pirro suggested that a deeper loyalty than party loyalty might be at work in Rep. Omar’s case.
Omar’s decision to wear a hijab, said Pirro, might indicate her “adherence to Sharia Law,” which is “antithetical to the United States Constitution.”
“This is not who your party is,” Pirro said in the opinion segment (video below).
“Your party is not anti-Israel. She is! Think about this. She’s not getting this anti-Israel sentiment doctrine from the Democrat Party. So if it’s not rooted in the party, where is she getting it from?” Pirro continued.
“Think about it: Omar wears a hijab, which, according to the Quran 33:59, tells women to cover so they won’t get molested. Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia Law — which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?” she added.
She came back to it pic.twitter.com/eSHX2Bz98X
— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) March 10, 2019
Jeanine Pirro’s comments received huge backlash from both the Left and Right. Fox News likewise came forward to condemn Pirro’s comments.
“We strongly condemn Judge Jeanine Pirro’s comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar,” Fox said in a statement the statement to Mediaite on Sunday. “They do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly.”
Host Pirro has responded to the backlash with her own statement, saying that she was trying to “start a debate” and challenging Rep. Omar to come on her show.
“I’ve seen a lot of comments about my opening statement from Saturday night’s show and I did not call Rep. Omar un-American,” said Pirro. “My intention was to ask a question and start a debate, but of course because one is Muslim does not mean you don’t support the Constitution. I invite Rep. Omar to come on my show any time to discuss all of the important issues facing America today.”
