Ilhan Omar and Illinois Democrats Clash With Trump in Record-Breaking State of the Union

Rep. ilhan omar and Illinois Democrats sharply rebuked President Donald Trump after his record-breaking State of the Union address Tuesday night, which Trump used to proclaim a new American "Golden Age, " warn U. S. adversaries and trade barbs with Democrats in the chamber.

Trump touts a "Golden Age" in a record-breaking address

Trump delivered what was described as a record-breaking State of the Union address Tuesday night, his first State of the Union of his second term. He projected a new American "Golden Age, " issued sharp warnings to foreign adversaries and clashed repeatedly with Democrats in the House chamber.

One year after returning to office, Trump has pursued sweeping policy changes at home and abroad. His administration’s immigration raids and mass deportations have sparked protests, during which two Americans were killed by federal agents.

Ilhan Omar shouts and accuses Trump of lying

During the speech, Trump turned his attention to Minnesota’s Somali community, saying the "Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota" had pillaged an estimated $19 billion from taxpayers. The claim drew an immediate rebuke from Somali American Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who called him a "liar. "

When Trump said members of the Somali community had carried out $19 billion in fraud, Omar shouted back, "That’s a lie... you’re lying. " Omar also yelled, "You have killed Americans, " alluding to federal agents fatally shooting Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Prosecutors have put stolen-funds estimates at about $9 billion, while one local news outlet found alleged fraud uncovered so far in some state programs closer to $200 million. Nearly all Somalis in Minnesota are citizens or legal residents.

Illinois Democrats blast Trump as a "wannabe dictator" and attack tariffs

Illinois Democratic leaders delivered a swift and pointed response in Chicago, accusing Trump of misleading Americans and failing to address rising costs. Democrats said the president "spewed lies" and attempted to "gaslight the American people, " calling his speech the ramblings of "a wannabe dictator outlining his plans to steal American elections. "

Illinois officials criticized Trump’s trade policy, saying he bragged about "illegal tariffs" that have increased the cost of living for Illinoisans and offered no concrete plans to lower health care, childcare, housing or grocery costs. They also protested his promise of more tax breaks for the wealthy and called the speech empty grandstanding rather than a rescue for everyday bills.

One Illinois Democrat said, "As Trump celebrates his immigration record, his agents shoot U. S. citizens in the streets, including my guest Marimar Martinez. " They added that in America’s 250th year, democracy faces a serious test and that Democrats must fight to bring down costs, end the chaos and fight corruption.

Minnesota delegation, Operation Metro Surge and the political fallout

All but one of Minnesota’s six congressional Democrats attended the State of the Union; all four of the state’s congressional Republicans were present. Omar, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Reps. Angie Craig, Kelly Morrison and Betty McCollum remained seated for most of the speech. Sen. Tina Smith did not attend and instead spoke at a counter-rally on the National Mall. The five Democrats stood to applaud when the Olympic men’s hockey team entered the House chamber.

Trump’s address came just over a week after the administration announced an end to Operation Metro Surge, the enforcement operation federal authorities said began in response to the fraud crisis in the state. The president invoked illegal immigration several times in his speech, saying "the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens, " and urging lawmakers to "end deadly sanctuary cities" and enact penalties for public officials who block removal of criminal aliens.

Rebuttal remarks and what officials say will come next

In the Democratic rebuttal to the address, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger more directly referenced the Department of Homeland Security surge in Minnesota, accusing the administration of sending "poorly trained federal agents" into cities who "have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans" and done so without warrants. Spanberger added that agents "have ripped nursing mothers away from their babies" and "have sent children, a little boy in a blue bunny hat … to far-off detent" — the remark ends "to far-off detent" and is unclear in the provided context.

Trump said Vice President JD Vance would lead the administration’s "war on fraud, " signaling a next step the White House intends to pursue following the address. Illinois Democrats said they will keep standing for the truth and work to hold the president and his administration accountable.