Tensions between President Donald Trump and Democratic lawmakers intensified during his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, with both parties fighting over his statements about immigration and alleged fraud.
President Trump brought attention to Minnesota’s Somali community, stating that “pirates” in the region have “ransacked Minnesota.” President Trump attempted to back his claim, citing an unproven allegation that members have committed $19 billion in fraud.
“The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception,” said Trump, adding that Vice President JD Vance would lead the administration’s “war on fraud.”
President Trump declared that Democrats should be “ashamed.”
His statements sparked sharp pushback from Somali American Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who shouted back, “You should be ashamed!”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) additionally joined Rep. Omar, yelling at President Trump: “You have killed Americans!", before leaving the chamber.
Concurrently, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) held a sign with photos of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, the two Minneapolis activists who were killed by immigration law enforcement in January.
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) also made a statement during the address, waving a sign that stated, “Black People Aren’t Apes!”, referencing a video that President Trump posted on social media in February that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. Rep. Green’s actions led to his second consecutive ejection from the chamber.
During the address, survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were present as more than a dozen House Democrats extended invites to be their guests.
"How about those Epstein files?" Rep. Tlaib yelled at President Trump during his address.
As President Trump addressed immigration, despite stating that his administration could use a “softer touch” with its immigration crackdown, President Trump instead called on lawmakers to “end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens,” additionally blaming previous Democratic administrations and relaying murders that were done by the hands of undocumented individuals.
