Ilhan Omar, Twitch Streamer Hasan Piker Call Republicans ‘Terrorists’ at Minneapolis Campaign Event

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., appeared alongside Twitch streamer Hasan Piker at a campaign event in Minneapolis on Monday night, where both criticized the Trump administration and Democrats who have shown willingness to work with Republicans.

During the event, Piker referred to Republicans as “terrorists,” while Omar described the party as the “pedophile protection party.” The remarks came during a Q&A session moderated by Omar Fateh, who recently lost his bid to become Minneapolis mayor.

Omar addressed President Trump directly in her comments, referencing his past outreach to Minnesota voters. “Trump’s obsession with us started in 2016, when he arrived at the airport and begged for our vote. We said, no thank you. We continued to say, no thank you. He lies and says he’s won Minnesota three times, as if,” she said.

She continued: “This defeat is going to be the fourth time! We remind him that Minnesota is not interested in a pedophile protection party. Minnesota doesn’t send people who are corrupt and are interested in enriching themselves. And Minnesota does not come after the refugees, they send one to Congress.”

Piker, who built his platform streaming political commentary on Twitch, turned his criticism toward moderate Democrats later in the discussion, arguing that some in the party conceded ground to Trump in 2024 by describing migrants as a national security threat.

“That’s unacceptable. Migrants are not a national security threat. They are our neighbors. They are allies. They work alongside us. They are not the burden, but a benefit. They are what make this country strong, and they’re what make it this country great. And any Democrat … any Democrat that refuses to recognize that, in my opinion, is un-American,” Piker said.

He then turned to Republicans more broadly. “I’m not even gonna bring up the Republicans because they are the most un-American force in this country. They’re terrorists. They are terrorizing our neighborhoods. They’re destroying what remains of the social fabric that holds us together. It’s completely unacceptable,” Piker said. “But to the Democrats who think this problem is going to go away, they were wrong in 2024, and they’re wrong now. A paperwork violation does not require deportation. That is cruel and unjust punishment.”

The Minneapolis appearance marks a notable return to the spotlight for Piker, who had largely been kept at arm’s length by Democratic campaigns following a widely criticized appearance last month alongside Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

That connection drew scrutiny after Piker’s past remark that America “deserved” the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks resurfaced, prompting El-Sayed to distance himself from Piker publicly. El-Sayed said at the time that “all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence,” and that “antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms.” He added that “nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople,” and said his campaign would stay focused on “gas, groceries, good schools and healthcare” rather than the controversy surrounding the streamer.