Ilhan Omar calls Republicans 'clown show' for demanding Biden send in the National Guard to deal with anti-Israel college protesters

Rep. Ilhan Omar said Republicans are putting on a 'clown show' after House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Columbia University to condemn anti-Israel protesters setting up an encampment on campus.

The progressive squad member, whose daughter was arrested in the protests last week, agreed that Republicans are hypocrites for demanding President Joe Biden call in the National Guard to break up the demonstrations on college campuses but cheering on protesters during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

But Republicans claim more law enforcement presence is needed because Jewish students are feeling threatened by the pro-Palestinian protesters, especially at Columbia where an encampment has taken over campus and refused to disperse despite demands from the university's president.

Omar told MSNBC in an interview Wednesday night of the college-aged protesters that 'history is going to be on their side,' claiming they don't want to be 'complacent' in 'Israeli genocide' of Palestinians.

Rep. Ilhan Omar accused Republicans of putting on a 'clown show' by calling for the National Guard to disperse anti-Israel protesters on Columbia University's campus

Calling themselves the Gaza Solidarity Encampment (pictured), hundreds have set up camp on Columbia's campus to protest the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists. Jewish students have been advised to avoid campus and take classes virtually during the demonstrations

She did not directly address the arrest of her daughter Irsa Hirsi, 21, after Barnard College students joined in anti-Israel protests at Columbia, their sister school.

Pro-Palestinian protests have broken out across several U.S. college campuses in recent months with growing an ti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiments spreading. Many universities are facing heat for not cracking down on the threats.

Meanwhile, hundreds of troopers marched on the University of Texas at Austin before scuffling with pro-Palestine protesters. Police arrested at least four activists - who burst out in tears when they were handcuffed - after warning them they could face criminal charges if they did not disperse.

The Texas college's Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSJ) chapter said it was inspired by their 'comrades' at Yale and Columbia University, where in-person classes have been canceled due to the unrest sparked by 'encampments for Gaza.'

Omar joins Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in condemning the demand for the National Guard to be brought in to disperse the demonstrators who set up camp on campus.

'Calling in police enforcement on nonviolent demonstrations of young students on campus is an escalatory, reckless, and dangerous act,' AOC wrote on X on Tuesday evening.

She added: 'It represents a heinous failure of leadership that puts people's lives at risk. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.'

Police descended on University of Texas at Austin's campus during anti-Israel protests and arrested at least four students during a class walkout

Columbia President Minouche Shafik allegedly threatened to call in the National Guard to disperse the group of demonstrators who call themselves the Gaza Solidarity Encampment.

Shafik is facing condemnation from both progressives and Republicans – including Speaker Johnson.

The Louisiana lawmaker went to Columbia in Manhattan on Wednesday to berate the 'lawless agitators and radicals.'

He questioned the ability of these Ivy League students to become future 'leaders of America' and praised the Jewish students who remain committed to their education in the face of growing threats.

'We will not be silent while Jewish students are expected to run for their lives,' Johnson warned.

House Speaker Mike Johnson brushed off the boos and jeers of students at Columbia on Wednesday and instead condemned the protest as the latest in the 'virus of antisemitism'

Omar's daughter Irsa Hirsi, 21, was arrested last week for refusing to leave an encampment on Columbia's campus and was subsequently suspended from Barnard College

Omar responded to his visit on MSNBC.

'I mean, it's a complete clown show,' she said in the interview with host Alex Wagner. 'These people do not care about violent protests. They don't care about First Amendment.'

'They care about performing their political theater, which is what they most of the time do,' the Minnesota representative continued. 'These are people who supported insurrectionists on January 6, who threatened my life, and the lives of all of our colleagues.'

'It is really astonishing that they want to be taken seriously today as they call for the National Guard to come in.'

She claimed that Johnson's visit only meant to stir up' anger and hate, and endanger the lives of young people at the encampment at Columbia University.'

'This whole conference is a joke, and nobody should take them seriously,' Omar said.

When elected in 2018, Omar became the first lawmaker to wear a hijab on the floor of the House of Representatives.

She and her fellow so-called Squad Members are staunchly pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel in the war with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023 and killed more than 1,160 people, mostly civilians. It resulted in the largest single-day massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Israel responded with months of barrages against Hamas in Gaza demanding the return of hostages who remain in the Palestinian enclave. The attacks have killed thousands of Palestinian civilians in the process and ramping up international outrage over the conflict.

Leadership in Israel maintains it is only targeting Hamas, but that the terrorist organization is using civilians as shields.