Fox News denounced comments made by host Jeanine Pirro over the weekend, when she insinuated that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has an “adherence to Sharia law” over to the Constitution because she wears a hijab.
In a statement to TPM, Fox said “we strongly condemn” Pirro’s comments.
“They do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly,” Fox News said.
Pirro also clarified that she did not mean to suggest Omar was anti-American.
“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,” she said. “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.”
Omar, the first of two Muslim women to serve in Congress, has become the target of conservatives’ ire in recent days over her criticism of pro-Israel advocates. Those remarks have been denounced by many in her own party as anti-Semitic. In an attempt to quell tension, House Democrats voted on a resolution last week to formally condemn anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
