A Republican-led attempt to censure Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota, reportedly collapsed in the House this week after four Republicans crossed the aisle to join Democrats in blocking the resolution.
Representative Cory Mills, Republican of Florida, was among those siding with Democrats. His vote was pivotal, making him the fourth deciding “no” and effectively ending the effort spearheaded by Representative Nancy Mace, Republican of South Carolina.
The resolution, which sought to formally rebuke Ms. Omar for her remarks following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, came just as Democrats had threatened to turn the tables on Mr. Mills.
According to Axios, Mr. Mills had been facing a retaliatory censure resolution before Democrats abruptly pulled back. Representative Greg Casar, Democrat of Texas and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, later confirmed he planned to withdraw his resolution against Mr. Mills.
Three other Republicans—Representatives Mike Flood of Nebraska, Jeff Hurd of Colorado, and Tom McClintock of California—also voted with Democrats to table the measure.
Mr. McClintock, explaining his decision, wrote on X that while he found Omar’s rhetoric about Mr. Kirk “vile and contemptible,” it nonetheless fell under the protections of the First Amendment. “This disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment,” he said.
Every Democrat who voted opposed the resolution, ensuring that the motion would not succeed.
The controversy stemmed from remarks Ms. Omar made the day after Mr. Kirk’s assassination.
Appearing on the program Zeteo, she dismissed suggestions that Kirk had fostered free expression and spirited debate on college campuses. “There is nothing more effed up … then to completely pretend that his words and actions have not been recorded and in existence,” she said.
She added pointedly: “There are a lot of people who are out there talking about [Kirk] just wanting to have a civil debate. These people are full of sh*t, and it’s important for us to call them out while we feel anger and sadness.”
In a move cited by Representative Mace, Omar also reposted a video labeling Mr. Kirk a “reprehensible human being.” For Republicans, those actions crossed a line. Ms. Mace pressed ahead with the censure, arguing the comments disrespected the memory of a slain conservative leader.
The episode quickly drew the attention of President Donald J. Trump, who was asked whether he would support Omar’s removal from her committee assignments. “I think she’s a disgraceful person … loser,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “It’s amazing the way people vote. I know it’s people from her area, maybe, of the world … They got here and they vote her in, it’s hard to believe, but I think she’s a disgusting person.”
While Democrats closed ranks to defend Omar, Republicans fractured—some insisting her rhetoric deserved formal discipline, others warning against turning political disputes into official punishments.
The failure of the resolution underscored that even in a deeply polarized House, questions of free speech and political retaliation continue to scramble party lines.
[READ MORE: House Narrowly Blocks GOP Effort to Censure Rep. Ilhan Omar Over Post on Charlie Kirk]
