'Jeanine Pirro is a disgrace': Fox News host condemned for comments about Ilhan Omar's hijab
After Jeanine Pirro was heavily criticized for comments she made about freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar wearing a hijab on Saturday, her own network condemned her remarks. The Fox host didn’t apologize, however.
“Omar wears the hijab, which according to the Quran 33:59, tells women to cover so they won’t get molested,” Pirro said on Fox News over the weekend. “Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?”
Fox News said in a statement to CNN Sunday night, “We strongly condemn Jeanine Pirro’s comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar. They do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly.”
Pirro also released a statement saying that her “intention was to ask a question and start debate, but of course because one is Muslim does not mean you don’t support the Constitution.” She invited the Somali-American congresswoman to come on her show “to discuss all of the important issues facing America today,” but didn’t apologize. Her segment about Omar remains on her Twitter account.
President Trump was right when he said the democrat party is now the anti-Israel party. Don’t forget Nancy, history has proven over and over when you appease to anti-Semitic sentiment, the worst happens. #OpeningStatement pic.twitter.com/vrnzhcu95o
— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) March 10, 2019
A Muslim Fox News producer, Hufsa Kamal, and Fox News contributor Guy Benson called out Pirro’s initial comments and subsequent statement on Twitter.
@JudgeJeanine can you stop spreading this false narrative that somehow Muslims hate America or women who wear a hijab aren’t American enough? You have Muslims working at the same network you do, including myself. K thx. https://t.co/ZfKhRhlvM3
— Hufsa Kamal (@hufkat) March 10, 2019
“My intention was to ask a question and start a debate” is almost identical to Omar’s defense of her own dual loyalty smear. It’s not a good one. https://t.co/IdaL1paGZu
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) March 11, 2019
Pirro’s segment on Omar centered around the Minnesota representative’s recent criticisms of Israel that many believed invoked anti-Semitic tropes. The congresswoman apologized last month, while also reaffirming the “problematic” role lobbyists play in American politics when it comes to relations with Israel.
Listening and learning, but standing strong 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/7TSroSf8h1
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 11, 2019
Pirro claimed Omar’s apology wasn’t enough and went on to question whether Omar’s religion went against the Constitution on Saturday — a question that was rebuked by people from across the political spectrum.
Jeanine Pirro is a disgrace. Ilhan Omar's right to wear hijab in accordance with her religious convictions is as constitutional as an Orthodox Jewish woman's right to wear a sheitel. Anything less is un-American. https://t.co/O4fpTJujao
— Bret Stephens (@BretStephensNYT) March 10, 2019
1. The irony here is that Pirro is a practicing Catholic. And the slur she's making against Omar – that if she follows the Koran, she can't follow the Constitution – is remarkably similar to the arguments that were once made against Catholic politicians. https://t.co/A3i94obscI
— James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) March 10, 2019
Disgusting. If @FoxNews had any ethics or decency Jeanine Pirro would be fired. https://t.co/2chvoZGPDD
— Carly Pildis (@CarlyPildis) March 10, 2019
The most telling thing about Jeanine Pirro saying that Ilhan Omar wearing a Hijab means she's against the Constitution is that the extremist who believes in state-sponsored religion in this scenario is Jeanine Pirro.
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) March 10, 2019
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