Representative Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) called President Donald Trump a “murderer” in a furious outburst that interrupted his State of the Union address Tuesday night.
The spat began after the president asked attendees to stand up if they believed the government’s job is to prioritize Americans over illegal immigrants.
“The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens,” Trump said.
Democrats, however, remained seated on their side of the House Chamber, while Republicans stood and applauded the president.
“You should be ashamed of yourselves, not standing up,” Trump said, addressing the seated Democrats.
Omar erupted into a screaming fit, directed at the president. Next to Omar sat Representative Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.), who joined in on the yelling.
“You have killed Americans!” Omar shouted at the president. “You are a murderer! You have killed Americans!”
Tlaib followed, ostensively yelling, “Alex was not a murderer! Alex was not a criminal!” presumably in reference to Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent at an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota at the end of January.
Tlaib wore two buttons to the State of the Union, one that said “Release the Files,” the other “F*** ICE.”
Republicans followed the face-off with a booming “USA” chant.
Trump also angered Omar by raising the massive welfare fraud perpetrated by her fellow Minnesota Somalis, citing a federal prosecutor’s estimate that members of the community are responsible for $19 billion in fraud in recent years. Vice President J.D. Vance will be responsible for leading the administration’s “war on fraud,” Trump announced during his address.
Omar notably brought a left-wing activist previously detained by ICE as one of her guests for the event. Aliya Rahman refused to move her car during an ICE operation, inhibiting the officers from carrying out their duties.
The experiences of Omar’s guests “reflect how ICE’s reckless actions in Minnesota through ‘Operation Metro Surge’ have devastated Minnesotans’ safety and economic security,” the Minnesota representative said.
Democrats have long been at odds with the president regarding ICE enforcement operations, particularly in Minnesota.
Trump recently sent border czar Tom Homan to de-escalate the situation in the state. Homan quickly secured cooperation from local officials and was able to draw down forces significantly as a result.
Immigration officers arrested more than 4,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota, and were able to locate 3,364 missing unaccompanied alien children unaccounted for under the Biden administration.