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During the State of the Union address, President Trump faced vocal opposition from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) after he made controversial remarks regarding Somali immigrants.
Amidst his speech, Omar was overheard branding Trump a liar as he announced plans to launch a “war on fraud,” which he attributed to the Somali immigrant community.
Trump remarked, “In terms of corruption that drains America, Minnesota stands as a glaring case—claiming that members from the Somali community have allegedly embezzled about $19 billion from American taxpayers.”
He further stated, “The Somali pirates that target Minnesota serve as a reminder of regions where bribery, corruption, and anarchy are prevalent, not anomalies. Allowing these cultures into the country through unchecked immigration and open borders introduces such issues to the USA,” Trump continued.
These assertions prompted a heated reaction from Omar, who vocally challenged Trump, calling him a liar from her seat in 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.”