Ilhan Omar Faces House Ethics Complaint Over Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is now facing a formal ethics complaint in the House of Representatives over her controversial response to the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The complaint, initiated by House Main Street Caucus Chairman Mike Flood (R-NE), accuses Omar of multiple violations and conduct unbecoming a member of Congress.
Flood announced the ethics referral in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, citing 18 “very concerning incidents” involving Omar. At the top of the list is what he described as Omar’s “obnoxious, insulting and dismissive comments following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
“This isn’t a free speech issue. This is a ‘Have you demonstrated that you are behaving at all times in a manner that reflects credibly on the House?’” Flood said.
Fallout Over Kirk Remarks
The GOP-led effort to hold Omar accountable stems from her widely criticized interview with left-wing outlet Zeteo, in which she downplayed Kirk’s legacy and suggested he had “downplayed slavery” and mocked Juneteenth. She also said it was dishonest to portray him as someone interested in “civil debate.”
While Omar later claimed on social media that she was misrepresented, saying her “heart breaks” for Kirk’s family and that she condemned his murder “multiple times,” critics argue that her tone and timing sent the wrong message in the immediate aftermath of the killing.
“There is nothing more effed up than to pretend his words and actions have not been recorded,” she told Zeteo.
Further inflaming tensions, Omar reposted a video from an unaffiliated account that said, “Don’t be fooled, these people don’t give a single s— about Charlie Kirk. They’re just using his death to further their Christo-fascist agenda.”
Additional Allegations
In addition to her post-assassination remarks, Flood’s ethics complaint includes two other major claims:
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Harboring Illegal Immigrants: Flood cited a February 2025 workshop hosted by Omar, in which she allegedly advised Somali nationals on how to avoid deportation.
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House Rule Violations: He also accused Omar of misusing TikTok by blending official congressional content with campaign messaging, a violation of House ethics standards.
Flood was one of four Republicans who voted to table a censure motion brought by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Wednesday — but clarified that his vote was not an exoneration.
“Ilhan Omar’s statements and social media posts are reprehensible and should be referred to the Ethics Committee,” Flood said after the vote. “The appropriate time to consider a censure motion would be after Ethics reviews her conduct.”
Divided Republican Caucus
Flood’s stance contrasts with the three other Republicans who opposed the censure on free speech grounds. He maintains this is not about silencing Omar, but about whether her behavior meets the standards of the House.
Meanwhile, Democrats have rallied to Omar’s defense. In their view, her remarks were critical of Kirk’s record, not celebratory of his death. Omar has insisted that her comments were mischaracterized for political purposes and that she explicitly condemned the violence.
“Right-wing accounts trying to spin a false story … is fitting for their agenda to villainize the left,” she posted on X, while again condemning the killing.
What’s Next
The House Ethics Committee is now expected to take up the complaint, although the process could take weeks or months to unfold. If found in violation, Omar could face anything from a reprimand to a formal censure — depending on the committee’s findings and further House action.
The complaint marks the latest in a string of post-assassination controversies as lawmakers grapple with how to respond to the political fallout surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death.