Judge Jeanine asks whether Omar’s hijab is ‘indicative’ of her loyalty to Sharia law

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro on Saturday questioned whether Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) hijab is a symbol of loyalty to Sharia law, which she warned is “antithetical” to the U.S. Constitution.

Pirro made the suggestion during the opening monologue of her show “Justice with Judge Jeanine.”

“Omar wears a hijab, which, according to the Quran 33:59, tells women to cover so they won’t get molested,” she said.

“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 asked.

Fox host Jeanine Pirro says that Ilhan Omar’s hijab may mean that she’s against the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/yxGRVoYkQm

— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) March 10, 2019

{mosads}Pirro raised the questions amid a wave of controversy over Omar’s comments about Israel that have sparked an anti-Semitism debate in Congress.

Pirro argued that Omar’s alleged “anti-Israel sentiment” did not come from the Democratic Party.

“Your party is not anti-Israel. She is,” Pirro said. “So if it’s not rooted in the party, where is she getting it from?”

Fox News said in a statement late Sunday that the network condemns Pirro’s remarks.

“We strongly condemn Jeanine Pirro’s comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar,” the network said. “They do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly.”

Pirro also issued a statement attempting to clarify her comments, saying: “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.”

“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,” Pirro said. “I invite Rep. Omar to come on my show any time to discuss all of the important issues facing America today.”

Critics of Omar’s comments, in both the Republican and Democratic parties, said the congresswoman’s most recent remarks pushed the anti-Semitic trope that people who advocate for Israel are more loyal to that country than the U.S.

The House passed a measure last week condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of hate. The measure did not mention Omar by name.

The Hill has reached out to Omar’s office for comment. The Minnesota Democrat, one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, is the first representative to wear a hijab on the House floor.

— This story was updated Monday, March 11 at 7:08 a.m. to include the statements from Fox News and Pirro.