A political firestorm erupted after Ilhan Omar criticized public celebrations of the late commentator Charlie Kirk, prompting former President Donald Trump to demand her impeachment. Trump called Omar’s remarks “absolutely terrible,” saying, “I think she should be impeached. I think she’s terrible.”

In an interview shortly after Kirk’s death, Omar argued that portraying Kirk as a champion of civil debate ignored unpleasant aspects of his past. She said, “There are a lot of people who are out there talking about him just wanting to have a civil debate… there is nothing more effed up … than to completely pretend … his words and actions have not been recorded.”

She later explained she believed Kirk’s legacy “should be in the dustbin of history.”

The backlash was immediate. Some Republicans sought to censure Omar or strip her of committee roles, but a resolution to do so failed in the House — 214 to 213 — after four Republicans joined Democrats to block it.

Trump’s call for impeachment appears mostly symbolic: under U.S. law, members of Congress cannot be impeached — only expelled — and that requires a strong bipartisan majority.

The controversy underscores deep partisan divides and shows how quickly public statements — especially after a tragedy — can ignite national debate. It highlights tensions between free expression, political accountability, and sensitivity around public discourse.