The Latest: Lawmaker won't apologize to Omar over fake photo
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Latest on North Dakota lawmaker's post of bogus photo of Omar on Facebook (all times local):
11:15 a.m.
A Republican state senator from North Dakota says he's sorry for spreading "fake news" by posting a long-debunked photo that claims to be Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar holding a weapon at an al-Qaida training camp.
But Sen. Oley Larsen says in a Facebook post he's not apologizing to Omar.
Larsen says "there is ample evidence that she is grossly sympathetic to the cause of certain religious extremists."
A spokesman for Omar didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Majority Leader Rich Wardner and GOP Gov. Doug Burgum called on Larsen Tuesday to apologize and relinquish his position as president pro tempore. Larsen says he won't quit that position.
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10:15 a.m.
The North Dakota Senate's top Republican says a fellow state senator is refusing to step down from a leadership position after posting on Facebook a long-debunked photo that claims to be Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar holding a weapon at an al-Qaida training camp.
Majority Leader Rich Wardner and GOP Gov. Doug Burgum have called on state Sen. Oley Larsen to apologize and relinquish his position as president pro tempore.
Wardner says he spoke with Larsen on Tuesday night. He says Larsen told him he would fight any attempt to be removed from the leadership position. Wardner says Larsen believes he's done nothing wrong.
Larsen hasn't returned repeated phone calls from The Associated Press.
Wardner says he will meet with the state Senate's GOP caucus before deciding what to do next.
