NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE
A political controversy erupted after Fox News host Brian Kilmeade questioned the loyalty of Rep. Ilhan Omar during a segment on “Fox & Friends,” asking viewers, “You have to wonder if she’s an American first.” The remark quickly drew sharp criticism and reignited concerns over rhetoric aimed at Muslim American leaders.
Rep. Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota and one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, responded forcefully. “My love and commitment to our country and that of my colleagues should never be questioned,” she said on Twitter. “We are ALL Americans.” Omar also called the comment “dangerous incitement,” noting that she has previously been the target of death threats.
Kilmeade’s remarks were part of a discussion reacting to a speech Omar gave to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Los Angeles. In her speech, Omar addressed the post-9/11 discrimination Muslim Americans have faced and how civil liberties were eroded in its aftermath. A particular phrase she used—“some people did something”—in reference to the 9/11 attacks was seized upon by critics, who accused her of minimizing the tragedy.
While Kilmeade later attempted to clarify his comments via Twitter, saying he didn’t mean to question Omar’s citizenship, he stood by his criticism: “I am questioning how any American, let alone a United States congresswoman, could downplay the 9/11 attacks.”
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
