President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address turned contentious when Midwestern members of the so-called “Squad” shouted him down.
Democratic Congresswomen Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan began heckling the Republican president for more than 30 seconds when he spoke of his immigration crackdown.
The uproar began after Trump urged those who believe “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens" to stand up.
"Isn't that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up," the president said looking towards Democratic lawmakers.
Omar and Tlaib — members of the “Squad,” an informal group of progressive House Democrats — then started yelling at the president from their seats.
“You have killed Americans!” Omar could be heard shouting repeatedly, apparently referencing the two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
“You should be ashamed,” Omar, who has frequently been the target of Trump’s ire, added.
Tlaib, who is wearing a large “F*** ICE” pin, yelled “lies” several times.
Polls show that many Americans share the lawmakers’ concerns about Trump’s immigration enforcement measures. According to a February survey from Quinnipiac, 63 percent of Americans disapprove of the way ICE is enforcing immigration laws.
It’s hardly the first time that a State of the Union address has been interrupted by members of Congress. Such instances have grown more common in recent years.
During former President Joe Biden’s 2023 address, former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted “liar” while Biden was discussing Medicare.
And, in 2009, then-Republican Rep. Joe Wilson cried out “You lie!” while former President Barack Obama spoke about reforming health care.
