Those who mentor political candidates see the Trump administration’s targeting of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota as a pattern toward women in leadership. They are urging reforms within key systems but remain encouraged by potential election gains.
Omar became a naturalized citizen in 2000 but is now being investigated over her family’s immigration paperwork. She strongly denies any wrongdoing, while the president and federal officials suggest false names and dates were used.
Erin Vilardi, founder/CEO of ‘Vote Run Lead,’ which trained Omar as part of its mission to prepare women to run for public office, said the investigation is not an isolated situation.
“This is about this coordination and ensuring and trying to create an environment where women are not actually in the public sphere,” Vilardi said.
Vilardi argued it is why more women are needed in leadership roles, whether in politics, law enforcement or the private sector—to deter actions viewed as harassing or threatening. On a positive note, the group says a record number of women are running for state legislative seats across the U.S. Vilardi believes it is an example of resiliency in the current environment.
Despite the federal government’s reasoning for the investigation of Omar, some legal experts said the actions point to political motivations, especially with the midterm elections almost here. Vilardi pointed out women of color in politics have warned about threatening and targeting behavior in the past, but they were not taken seriously enough by leaders in all parties. She added inaction has helped fuel threats toward candidates from all backgrounds, including Republican men.
“It is so widespread because we didn’t actually respond and we do not actually have the systems and structures both in our organizations, our parties—but also in our law enforcement and in our legal structures and our justice system to say: ‘This is unacceptable,'” Vilardi said.
Meanwhile, popular voices in the male podcasting movement have spoken out against feminism. Vilardi warned rhetoric and other concerning actions are unsustainable. She added empowering women benefits everyone and adequate resources should be devoted to confronting what’s often called the ‘male loneliness’ epidemic.
