Aliya Rahman, a guest of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, was arrested by Capitol police during President Trump‘s State of the Union address. Rahman is a US citizen living in Minneapolis who was invited by Representative Omar to highlight the impact of immigration enforcement on ordinary people.
Back in January, Rahman was forcibly removed from her car and dragged by immigration agents in Minneapolis. According to The Guardian, she had told officers at the time that she was disabled and trying to get to a doctor, which was why she hadn’t moved her car. The incident left her with shoulder injuries.
During President Trump’s speech, Rahman stood up silently in the gallery. She later explained that she had no signs, buttons, or made any sound, but felt compelled to stand when Trump said what she described as “some of the most racist things” she had heard from a leader about the people of her city. Capitol police stated that Rahman “started demonstrating,” which violated event rules, and that she “refused to obey our lawful orders,” leading to her arrest for unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress.
The arrest of a silent, injured guest raises serious concerns about how far enforcement will go
A Capitol police spokesperson said, “It’s not allowed. She was told to sit. She refused. It’s simple.” They also noted that all State of the Union tickets clearly state that demonstrating is prohibited. Notably, lawmakers who protested during the speech were not arrested, as they are protected by the speech or debate clause of the Constitution. Trump also directly targeted Omar during the address, adding to an already tense night for the congresswoman and her guest.
Representative Omar called for a full investigation into the arrest, pointing out that her guest had stood silently, as other guests were also doing at various points during the address. Omar noted that Rahman was “forcibly removed” despite warning officers about her already injured shoulders. Rahman was taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment before being booked.
Representative Omar described the “heavy-handed response to a peaceful guest” as sending a “chilling message about the state of our democracy.” Before the address, Omar had said that inviting Rahman was a way to show “what the ICE occupation has meant for our constituents and the real harm that this administration has caused,” adding that instead of creating safety, the administration has brought “chaos, violence and terror.”
This is not the first time Trump has dismissed serious concerns involving Omar; he previously brushed off a frightening attack on Senator Omar without even watching the footage. Rahman, who works as a software engineer, had a direct message for President Trump and lawmakers who support his policies.
She said they were elected to improve people’s lives, not to “point at folks they would like to construct as enemies so they don’t have to do their jobs.” Representative Omar later confirmed that Rahman is “back and safe” after her arrest and hospital visit.
Published: Feb 26, 2026 02:27 pm