When asked about the sexual assault allegation made against presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) reiterated her support for the former vice president.
During an interview Tuesday morning on âGood Morning America,â she was asked about her remarks to the British Sunday Times, where she said in early May, âI do believe Reade.â She also noted at the time that she would not want Biden to be the Democratic nominee if it were up to her.
The Democratic lawmaker also wrote in a tweet on Monday, âBelieving survivors is consistent with my values.â
Check out the tweets:
When asked during Tuesdayâs interview if she still supports Reade, Omar reiterated her support for Biden and helping him âin defeating Trump.â
âThis is one of the most important elections of our lifetime and we all have to do everything that we can to restore our democracy and still hope in whatâs possible,â Omar said.
Additionally, Omar said, âI think that itâs important that we create a space for survivors to come forward, and that has been consistent with my values and I think we can do both.â
When pressed again if she believes what Reade is alleging is âtrue,â the Minnesota representative said, âThereâs obviously parts of what she has said that has been corroborated, parts of it that hasnât. That is not my place to litigate.â
âI think itâs important when somebody says they have been assaulted and they see themselves as survivors, that we, as we have been saying, believe survivors.â
Reade accused Biden of sexually assaulting in 1993 her while he worked in the Senate and she was a staffer. He has repeatedly denied the allegation.
Watch Omarâs interview below:
Omar is part of âthe squadâ along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who has also commented on Readeâs allegation.
Ocasio-Cortez previously said that the allegation surrounding Biden is not âclear cut.â
âFrankly, this is a messy moment, and I think we need to acknowledge that â that it is not clear-cut,â she said on NPRâs âMorning Edition.â
The New York lawmaker later added during the interview, âInstead of focusing on her account, instead of focusing on her story as a survivor, people are fast-forwarding to the political implications, âDo you want Trump to win? Will you be voting for Joe Biden?â And that denies justice in this situation.â
