U.S. Rep. Omar on Capitol Breach: ‘I Am Terrorized by What Happened’

U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Dean Phillips, whose districts cover the CCX News viewing area, are among more than 100 House members who have signed on to support articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

Omar and Phillips blame Trump for inciting the violent security breach Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol.

Omar, whose 5th District includes Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope and Robbinsdale, says she was in her office when rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol. Omar was quickly taken to a safe location.

“I am terrorized by what happened,” said Omar during a press briefing Thursday. “It was a targeted blow at the most essential process that makes us a democracy and it was directly and specifically incited by the President of the United States.”

Omar says the president incited neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups during an address at a park near the White House before Wednesday’s security breach.

“This is incitement plain and simple of a coup attempt against our government,” Omar said. “If history teaches us anything, it is that radical and violent fractions only grow in strength if unchecked.”

It’s uncertain if any Congressional Republicans will join in on the impeachment efforts. None had publicly announced they would on Thursday.

I remain in Washington and have joined @RepCicilline, @RepTedLieu, and @RepRaskin in introducing Articles of Impeachment to remove Donald J. Trump from the Presidency. Principle matters, and our oath to the Constitution is just as solemn on day 1 as on day 1,448 of a term. pic.twitter.com/imAC6dcL02

— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) January 7, 2021

 Omar Calls for Revamp of U.S. Capitol Security Procedures

Omar is also calling for top-down reforms of security procedures at the Capitol.

“This was a catastrophic failure,” said Omar about the security lapses Wednesday. “There were clear failures by law enforcement agencies.”

U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund did resign following the breach. Five people died during the mayhem, including a U.S. Capitol police officer who died Thursday from injuries sustained in the violence.

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