A sharp exchange erupted Sunday between Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Nancy Mace after the South Carolina Republican suggested that Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib were grieving the death of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The dispute began when Mace posted a sarcastic message online following news of Khamenei’s death. “My heart goes out to Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib tonight.

“Sending them thoughts and prayers,” she wrote in a post accompanied by a picture of Khamenei.

Omar and Tlaib, the first Muslim women elected to Congress, are members of the progressive bloc known as “The Squad.”

Omar responded forcefully on X, accusing Mace of intoxication. “I hope you aren’t drunk and took your staff’s advice, Rashida and I don’t know this man and feel confident he didn’t care about us,” she wrote.

She continued, “Please restrain [sic] from drinking too much as you have been warned from your staff and stay off social media when you are drunk. I pray in his holy month you find peace and respect for your self [sic].”

Omar’s remarks appeared to reference prior allegations made by former Mace staff members claiming she fostered a hostile work environment.

A New York Magazine article published last month alleged that Mace consumed alcohol “excessively” and required staff to make late-night liquor store runs on her behalf.

Mace has strongly denied those claims, even as several former aides have publicly supported them. She has said she suffers from hemochromatosis, describing it as a “lifelong genetic affliction that prevents me from consuming much alcohol.”

Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which excess iron accumulates in vital organs such as the heart, pancreas, and liver.

Mace fired back at Omar with a jab at her grammar, writing, “Honey, it’s ‘please refrain’ not ‘please restrain.’ This is what happens when your staff is from the Third World and can’t speak proper English,” Mace needled Omar in response.

Mace, who is running for governor of South Carolina, has praised the killing of Khamenei and supported efforts to weaken Iran’s ruling regime.

The two lawmakers have a history of public disputes on social media.

Earlier this year, Mace sought to have the House Oversight Committee issue a subpoena for records related to allegations that Omar married her brother.

On Shabbos, Omar criticized President Trump for authorizing the Operation Absolute Fury strikes against Iran, in which Khamenei was killed during joint U.S.-Israeli military action.

“The American people are sick and tired of endless wars built on false promises and paid for with innocent lives. Congress must immediately pass [the] Khanna-Massie War Powers Resolution,” Omar wrote on X.

Before the strikes took place, Omar had also expressed frustration over the timing of U.S. military actions during Ramadan.

“The US apparently loves to strike Muslim countries during Ramadan and I am convinced it isn’t what these countries have done to violate international law but about who they worship,” she wrote.

Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, runs this year from Feb. 17 through March 19.

{Matzav.com}