Fox News host Jeanine Pirro zeroed in on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) hijab Saturday in an Islamophobic attack against one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress.
Omar has come under fire recently for criticisms of Israel that some have seen as anti-Semitic, culminating in the passage of a resolution in the House of Representatives Thursday denouncing anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred.
Pirro addressed the story on her show Saturday, saying of the freshman congresswoman:
Omar wears a hijab, which according to the Quran 33:59, tells women to cover so they won’t get molested. Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?
Late Sunday night, a spokesperson for Fox News responded to TPM’s request for comment with two statements, the first from Fox News and the second from Pirro herself. Read both below:
Fox News:
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.
Jeanine Pirro:
I’ve seen a lot of comments about my opening statement from Saturday night’s show and I did not call Rep. Omar un-American. My intention was to ask a question and start a debate, but of course because one is Muslim does not mean you don’t support the Constitution. I invite Rep. Omar to come on my show any time to discuss all of the important issues facing America today.
Fox News' Jeanine Pirro wonders if Rep. Ilhan Omar's hijab is "indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?" pic.twitter.com/9MpU1knjIk
— Matt Shuham (@mattshuham) March 10, 2019
This post has been updated.
