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During the State of the Union address, Representative Ilhan Omar from Minnesota vocally challenged President Trump’s remarks about Somali immigrants, which many found to be divisive.
Omar’s voice rang out in protest as Trump asserted his intention to initiate a “war on fraud,” specifically targeting the Somali immigrant community.
The president claimed, “When it comes to corruption draining America, no example is more shocking than that of Minnesota, where Somali community members have allegedly fleeced American taxpayers of an estimated $19 billion.”
Trump went on to liken some Somali immigrants to “pirates,” accusing them of bringing bribery and lawlessness to Minnesota, and suggesting that unrestricted immigration allows these issues to infiltrate the United States.
Omar responded with indignation to these statements, calling Trump a liar and vocally opposing his claims from the floor of the chamber.
The Somali community has been under scrutiny by the Trump administration in part due to a massive pandemic-era fraud scheme that stole hundreds of millions from a federally funded nutrition program. As much as $1 billion is reported to have been stolen in separate plots.
A viral December video about alleged fraud at Somali-run day care centers in the state further inflamed the administration’s response, including launching a massive immigration raid in Minneapolis.
As Trump talked about illegal immigration and the border, Rep. Rashida Talib (D-Mich.) yelled at Trump, “You’re killing Americans.” Omar also yelled, “You have killed Americans.”
Other Democrats wore pins and held up signs with protest messages. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) held up a two-sided sign with the photos of two Americans killed by immigration officers, Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House chamber shortly after Trump began delivering his address, holding up a sign that read, “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES.”