Ilhan Omar Interrupts as Trump Cites $19 Billion Fraud Claim; Illinois Democrats Call Him a 'Wannabe Dictator'
Rep. ilhan omar shouted "That’s a lie... you’re lying" during President Donald Trump’s record-breaking State of the Union after he accused members of Minnesota’s Somali community of carrying out $19 billion in fraud, a claim that drew sharp rebukes from Minnesota lawmakers and Illinois Democrats who denounced the speech as the ramblings of "a wannabe dictator. "
Ilhan Omar challenges $19 billion figure on the House floor
Trump told the chamber that "members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion dollars from the American taxpayer" and called them "Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota, " a line that prompted Rep. Ilhan Omar to call him a "liar" and to shout back, "That’s a lie... you’re lying. " Prosecutors have put estimates at about $9 billion for stolen funds tied to long-term oversight failures, while one news analysis found alleged fraud uncovered so far in some state programs is closer to $200 million. Trump also said Vice President JD Vance would lead the administration’s "war on fraud. "
Trump repeats immigration warnings and sanctuary-city pitch
During the address, Trump raised illegal immigration several times, saying "the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens, " and urged lawmakers to "end deadly sanctuary cities" and impose serious penalties on public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens. The speech included a broader push on immigration enforcement that followed an administration crackdown in Minnesota that had proved widely unpopular in recent polling and left Democratic lawmakers skeptical about its wind-down.
Illinois Democrats blast the president’s tone and policy claims
Illinois Democratic leaders responded sharply, accusing Trump of "wreaking havoc on American communities" and of spewing "lies" during "two hours of baseless claims" and "shameless propaganda. " They called his remarks "the ramblings of a wannabe dictator outlining his plans to steal American elections, " and faulted him for bragging about "illegal tariffs" that have raised costs for Illinoisians while offering "no concrete plans" to lower the price of health care, childcare, housing or groceries. One lawmaker said Trump had promised more tax breaks for the wealthy while delivering only "empty platitudes" about successes in his first year back in office.
Violence, family separation and calls to dismantle DHS
Speakers in the Democratic response warned that the president’s immigration raids and mass deportations have sparked protests and that federal agents have killed two Americans during those operations. One critic said, "As Trump celebrates his immigration record, his agents shoot U. S. citizens in the streets, including my guest Marimar Martinez. " Democrats argued the moment demands accountability and structural reform — including statements that "we must dismantle DHS and rebuild" followed in the speech transcript by text that is unclear in the provided context.
Who was in the chamber and how they reacted
All but one of Minnesota’s six congressional Democrats attended the address; all four of Minnesota’s congressional Republicans were present. Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Reps. Angie Craig, Kelly Morrison and Betty McCollum remained seated for most of the speech as Republicans stood and cheered. Sen. Tina Smith did not attend and instead spoke at a counter-rally on the National Mall. The five Democrats did stand briefly to applaud when the Olympic men’s hockey team entered the House chamber.
Operation Metro Surge and the political aftermath
The State of the Union came just over a week after the administration announced an end to Operation Metro Surge, which federal authorities said began in response to the fraud crisis at issue. In a separate Democratic rebuttal, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said federal agents sent into cities were "poorly trained, " had "arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans" without warrants, had "ripped nursing mothers away from their babies, " and had "sent children, a little boy in a blue bunny hat … to far-off detent" — a quote that is truncated in the provided context.
What comes next is unclear in the provided context.
