Barack Obama: “I think having a fresh set of legs in this seat, I think having a fresh perspective, new personnel and new ideas is all…”

The effort, he said, “should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views.”

Because if this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her — or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same.

People need to “rediscover what’s the story we tell about how we’re going to live together, and see each other, and recognise each other, and disagree, and yet, still care for each other”.

The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views.