A video clip of Rep. Ilhan Omar criticizing the federal response to violent protests in Los Angeles exploded online this week, and the reaction has been swift and furious. In an interview aired June 13, Omar likened the United States to a dictatorship and urged people to “collectively be out in the streets,” a line that predictably set off alarm bells among conservatives who believe in law and order.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s blistering retweet — captioned “Denaturalize and Deport” — showed how raw this moment has become, and it underlines a real frustration among Americans who see public officials cheering civil unrest. Whether you support the AG’s language or not, the fact remains that a member of Congress publicly urged mass street action at a time when protests have already turned violent in multiple cities. That isn’t leadership; it’s reckless saber-rattling.
This rhetoric did not happen in a vacuum. The country saw massive “No Kings” demonstrations on June 14, part of a nationwide outpouring against what protesters called authoritarian displays and federal overreach, and many of those events were organized to oppose polices coming out of Washington. Local communities that intended peaceful protests nonetheless watched the day sour in places, and the national conversation quickly shifted from grievances to public safety.
Minnesota became a frightening example of how political theatre can spiral into real danger, as authorities warned residents to stay home after targeted shootings of state lawmakers coincided with the protests. Law enforcement urged cancellations and cautioned organizers, but some gatherings proceeded, showing reckless indifference to public safety that mainstream outlets downplayed at the time. This is exactly the risk when public figures egg on demonstrations without considering consequences.
Remember, people: words from the podium are not benign. When a congresswoman who holds national influence encourages “collective” street action while cities already struggle with unrest, it delegitimizes ordinary Americans who want peaceful, lawful protest and emboldens the fringe to escalate. Conservatives are justified in calling out the double standard — the left’s tolerance for chaos when it suits them, and their shrill sanctimony when anyone points out the damage it does to neighborhoods and families.
The remedy is simple and patriotic: insist on accountability, defend law and order, and don’t be cowed by moral posturing from the political class. Voters will remember who cheered disruption and who stood for secure streets and stable communities when Election Day comes. If America is to remain a beacon of liberty, its leaders must stop romanticizing unrest and start governing for the safety and prosperity of hardworking families.
