Black Caucus Says Ilhan Omar May Face Death Threats Over 'Dangerous' Lauren Boebert Remark

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has said Representative Lauren Boebert's recent comments about Representative Ilhan Omar could lead to death threats against the Democrat.

Boebert, a Republican who represents Colorado's 3rd congressional district, apologized to the Muslim community following remarks about Omar where she joked about a bomb in a backpack.

The CBC issued a statement via Twitter on Friday calling Boebert's behavior "despicable" and branding the comments "bigotry", echoing Omar's own response to the Republican.

"The Islamophobic comments made by Representative Boebert are morally reprehensible and dangerous," CBC chair Representative Joyce Beatty said in the statement.

"We believe this rhetoric perpetuates actions that could undoubtedly inspire more death threats to Representative Omar and her family. That is unacceptable," Beatty went on.

"Despite an insincere and half-baked apology, Representative Boebert's behavior was despicable and an all too predictable expression of her uniquely grotesque brand of bigotry," the statement said.

"Members cannot continue with this dangerous and divisive behavior in a quest to gain relevancy. Words are harmful and have a lasting impact. The Congressional Black Caucus stands unified against any racist rhetoric, targeted trope, or brazen bigotry," Beatty said.

Boebert faced widespread criticism and calls for her censure after video was shared on social media of her telling a story about seeing Omar in an elevator at the Capitol.

She described a Capitol police officer rushing toward the elevator.

"I see fret all over his face, and he's reaching [...] The door's shutting, like I can't—I can't open it—like, what's happening?" Boebert told an audience. ""I look to my left, and there she is. Ilhan Omar. I said, 'Well she doesn't have a backpack, we should be fine."

Boebert again described Omar as part of "the Jihad Squad" - repeating a phrase she had used on the floor of the House of Representatives during the debate about the censure of Republican Representative Paul Gosar.

Omar, who represents Minnesota's 5th congressional district, responded to Boebert by calling her a "buffoon" and saying "this whole story is made up."

"Sad she thinks bigotry gets her clout. Anti-Muslim bigotry isn't funny & shouldn't be normalized," Omar tweeted. "Congress can't be a place where hateful and dangerous Muslims tropes get no condemnation."

Following the backlash, Boebert issued an apology on Twitter on Friday.

"I apologize to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment about Rep. Omar," Boebert wrote. "I have reached out to her office to speak with her directly. There are plenty of policy differences to focus on without this unnecessary distraction."