Omar criticized for refusing to answer questions from CNN reporter

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is being criticized for refusing to answer questions after CNN senior congressional correspondent Manu Raju on Wednesday tweeted about their interaction on Capitol Hill.

“Rep. Ilhan Omar in no mood to talk about her controversies this week,” Raju reported on Twitter, referring to her controversial accusations that the pro-Israel lobby pays for support in Congress. She has apologized, but President Trump called for her to resign over the remarks.

“First, she said: ‘No thank you’ when asked to comment on Trump saying she should resign,” Raju continued. “Second time I saw her, she yelled: ‘Are you serious?’ when I tried to question her.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar in no mood to talk about her controversies this week. First, she said: “No thank you” when asked to comment on Trump saying she should resign. Second time I saw her, she yelled: “Are you serious?” when I tried to question her.

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 13, 2019

“Before I even got my question out the second time I saw her, Ilhan Omar angrily said: ‘Are you serious? What’s wrong with you,’ ” Raju said in another tweet.

Before I even got my question out the second time I saw her, Ilhan Omar angrily said: “Are you serious? What’s wrong with you.” https://t.co/uhQ2stdrsF

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 13, 2019

CNN’s Jake Tapper later shared video of the second encounter on his show that indicates Omar was smiling at Raju despite her words.

Ilhan Omar explodes at CNN over anti-Semitism scandal

Omar: “Are you serious? What is wrong with you?”

Manu Raju: “I’m asking you a question about your tweet…saying [Trump] trafficked in hate”

Omar: “Yes I tweeted, and there’s a response. You can run that. Have a nice day” pic.twitter.com/pR7fxederX

— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) February 13, 2019

Omar was criticized by other reporters online. 

If you don’t want to face questions from reporters, don’t run for Congress https://t.co/gTlH0sxw51

— John Bresnahan (@BresPolitico) February 13, 2019

This attitude from @IlhanMN — don’t question me, just quote my tweets — is a problem on both sides of the aisle. Politicians’ tweets aren’t a substitute for journalism, they’re a starting point for journalism. https://t.co/3m1JgKoGRt

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 13, 2019

{mosads}The exchange between Omar and Raju comes two days after Omar apologized for comments that have been dubbed anti-Semitic. She suggested that strong U.S. support for Israel is due to money donated from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which was founded in 1963 and is one of the most influential pro-Israel lobbying groups in Washington, D.C.

“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 said Monday. “My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole. We have to always be willing to step back and think through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. This is why I unequivocally apologize.”

However, Trump said Tuesday that Omar’s apology was not enough. She should resign or be barred by Democratic leadership from serving on congressional committees as a consequence for her remarks on Israel, he said.

Omar responded to Trump by tweeting: “Hi @realDonaldTrump- You have trafficked in hate your whole life—against Jews, Muslims, Indigenous, immigrants, black people and more. I learned from people impacted by my words. When will you?”

Hi @realDonaldTrump–

You have trafficked in hate your whole life—against Jews, Muslims, Indigenous, immigrants, black people and more. I learned from people impacted by my words. When will you? https://t.co/EqqTyjkiNE

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 13, 2019