Rep. Ilhan Omar said her invited guest was removed and arrested during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
According to Omar, her guest, software engineer Aliya Rahman, stood quietly in the gallery for a short time during the speech. Omar said Capitol Police officers then escorted Rahman out and later charged her with unlawful conduct.
Omar Calls Response Heavy Handed
In a statement, Omar said Rahman warned officers that she had injured shoulders before they removed her. She added that reports claimed officers handled her aggressively until someone stepped in and requested medical care.
Omar said authorities took Rahman to George Washington University Hospital for treatment. Afterward, officers booked her at U.S. Capitol Police headquarters.
Rahman later told Democracy Now that she was arrested simply for standing up. She argued that standing and sitting are the only visible actions guests can take during the speech.
The charge Omar cited carries a potential penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of $500.
Fox News contacted U.S. Capitol Police for comment, but the department did not immediately respond.
Background on the Guest
Omar invited Rahman after a previous incident in Minnesota. Rahman reportedly had an altercation with federal agents during an operation known as Operation Metro Surge in January.
That federal effort focused on immigration enforcement and fraud investigations in the Minneapolis area.
Operation Metro Surge and Federal Response
Last month, Trump sent border adviser Tom Homan to Minneapolis following several clashes between anti ICE protesters and federal officers.
Earlier this month, Homan announced the end of Operation Metro Surge. He said improved cooperation from local authorities made the extra enforcement push unnecessary. However, he added that federal personnel assigned to criminal and fraud investigations would remain until their work concludes.
Omar described Rahman’s arrest as troubling and called for a full explanation of why officers detained her during the address.
The incident adds another flashpoint to an already tense political climate surrounding immigration enforcement and public protests.
