Son Of 9/11 Victim Slams Omar: ‘Draw Your Own Line On What Side Do You Want To Be’

Nicholas Haros Jr., whose mother was killed on 9/11, slammed Rep. Ilhan Omar on Monday night over her non-apology this weekend for her "some people did something" trivialization of the attacks.

Omar appeared on CBS News' "Face The Nation" on Sunday where she suggested that she was a victim of 9/11, saying, "not only was I suffering as an American who was attacked on that day, but the next day I woke up as my fellow Americans were now treating me a suspect."

Host Margaret Brennan asked Omar if she understood why Americans were so offended by her remarks, to which Omar did not answer.

Haros joined Fox News' Martha MacCallum to discuss Omar's comments and to give his reaction to what she said.

"What's your reaction to what she said?" MacCallum asked. "How do you — how do you feel about that?"

"Well, I thought about it. And what I heard her say the second time was that she cannot feel pain for the families and that we should just remember and never forget, not the day, but the aftermath," Haros responded. "And I think that doesn't quite hit the mark." 

 

"I don't personally need an apology, but I do think you need to apologize to the American peoples," Haros continued. "You can continue to support a fringe group of Muslims. I called out no such message. My message was specific to your remarks and 19 specific terrorists. "

"But as you go forward, as a representative of the United States, I suggest that you draw your own line on what side do you want to be," Haros concluded. "Do you want to be on the side with peace-loving Muslims, as I am? Or do you want to continue to represent the fringe element?"

WATCH:

 

Transcript provided via Fox News:

REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): CAIR was founded after 9/11 because they recognized that some people did something, and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARTHA MACCALLUM, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: Those comments from Congresswoman Ilhan Omar set off a firestorm of criticism, most recently from Nicholas Haros Jr., who lost his mother on 9/11 and had this to say at the ceremony marking 18 years since her death.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICHOLAS HAROS JR., SON OF 9/11 VICTIM: Today, I am here to respond to you exactly who did what to whom.

Madam, objectively speaking, we know who and what was done. There is no uncertainty about that.

Why your confusion?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACCALLUM: This weekend, Omar was asked why people like Haros have been taking offense at her comments.

And here’s what she had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OMAR: I certainly could not understand the weight of the pain that the victims of the families of 9/11 must feel.

What I was speaking to was the fact that as a Muslim, not only was I suffering as an American who was attacked on that day; but the next day, I woke up as my fellow Americans were now treating me a suspect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACCALLUM: Here now exclusively is Nicholas Haros Jr., the son of Frances Haros who died on September 11, 2001.

Good to have you here today, sir.

HAROS: Thank you, Martha. Thank you.

What's your reaction to what she said? How do you -- how do you feel about that?

HAROS: Well, I thought about it. And what I heard her say the second time was that she cannot feel pain for the families and that we should just remember and never forget, not the day, but the aftermath.

And I think that doesn't quite hit the mark.

Personally, I will tell you that -- and I address these remarks to the Congresswoman herself, Ilhan, I am a Christian. I’m a Catholic.

Forgiveness must be in my vocabulary. Christ forgave sin, as I can do no less, is to all that’s a requiem.

But as a postscript to that, I don't know much about Islam or the Muslim religion. But educate us. Tell us about the religion of peace, forgiveness, compassion.

I don’t personally need an apology, but I do think you need to apologize to the American peoples.

And I would also like to say that I think you are at a political crossword -- crosswalks. You can continue to support a fringe group of Muslims. I called out no such message. My message was specific to your remarks and 19 specific terrorists.

Muslims and my Catholic Church are at peace with each other, and I can ask no less.

But as you go forward, as a representative of the United States, I suggest that you draw your own line on what side do you want to be.

Do you want to be on the side with peace-loving Muslims, as I am? Or do you want to continue to represent the fringe element?

MACCALLUM: Well, I think that -- you know, I cannot speak for her.

She said that she couldn't understand -- she can't put herself in your shoes in terms of understanding the pain of losing your mother. But she felt that she was alienated after 9/11 as a Muslim.

I just have about 10 seconds left. A quick thought on that.

HAROS: All I would suggest, perhaps, that let's place the victim card where it belongs --

MACCALLUM: All right.

HAROS: -- and that's on the families.

MACCALLUM: All right. Nicholas Haros, speaking your mind here.

Thank you very much, sir. Good to have you here tonight.

HAROS: Thank you.