Florida man arrested for racist threats to kill Ilhan Omar, Dems
John Kless, a Florida man, was detained on Friday for allegedly leaving voicemails threatening to kill Democratic lawmakers — and expressing his hatred to each for freshman Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar. The racist man called the offices of U.S. deputies to leave voicemails, in which he attacked Omar by using Islamophobic rhetoric. "It was your Taliban b***h, the one who opened up her f***ing towel head mouth about how 'some people did it," Kless conveyed in his message.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 11:49 | 19 April 2019
- Modified Date: 11:49 | 19 April 2019
A man in the state of Florida was arrested by authorities after making threatening comments to multiple congressional Democrats, including Ilhan Omar, who he called a "Taliban [expletive]," according to multiple reports.
John Kless, 49, reportedly called the offices of lawmakers Eric Swalwell, Rashida Tlaib and Senator Cory Booker. Kless left voicemails at all three offices in which he attacked Omar by using Islamophobic rhetoric.
"It was your Taliban b***h, the one who opened up her f***ing towel head mouth about how 'some people did it,' " authorities said Kless conveyed in his message to Tlaib, according to a court records submitted Thursday obtained by The Hill.
The Democrat from Minnesota, along with Michigan's Tlaib, is one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, and has faced a flurry of attacks since taking office this year.
"You know what? She's lucky she's just getting death threats, b***h. So are you. All right? You're lucky they're just threats. Motherf***er. 'Cuz the day when the bell tolls, [expletive], and this country comes to a war, there will be no more threats. Your life will be on the f***ing line," Kless was alleged to have said.
"There's people like me out there, millions and millions of us who hate you motherf***ers, man, for what you done on 9/11, I blame all of you, because all of you had a f***ing part in on it."
Last Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted a video of a speech delivered by Omar, referencing the congresswoman's "some people did something" comments that were made in discussing how Muslims should not be treated as second-class citizens because of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Many critics, however, focused on her use of the phrase "some people did something," suggesting she downplayed the attacks.
The president's tweet mixed in footage from the attacks with parts of the speech.
The Muslim congresswoman said she has faced more death threats since the president posted the tweet, sparking criticism that Trump is condoning harmful attacks against the country's own elected officials.
Nancy Pelosi, the House's top Democrat, said Sunday she contacted Capitol Hill security to ensure Omar's safety after the president's comments.