Following the House’s overwhelming passage of a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, white supremacy and other forms of hate, Fox News host Jeanine Pirro attacked Congressmember Ilhan Omar—one of two Muslim women now serving in Congress—for wearing a hijab.
Jeanine Pirro: “Omar wears a hijab, which, according to the Qur’an, 33-colon-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?”
Critics blasted Judge Pirro’s remarks, pointing to the First Amendment of the Constitution, which protects freedom of religion. As outrage mounted, Fox News condemned her comments late Sunday, saying in a statement, “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.”
After her historic election victory last November, Congressmember Omar spearheaded the overturning of a long-standing ban on headscarves and other religious headwear, becoming the first lawmaker to wear a hijab on the House floor.