^{Reps. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) react during Tuesday's State of the Union speech. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images}

Tense Exchange Between Trump and Rep. Ilhan Omar Over Migrants in Minnesota

WSJ.COM 25-02-2026

In the tensest moment so far during President Trump’s State of the Union address, Trump and several Minnesota lawmakers exchanged harsh words over the administration’s mass deportation agenda, which has led to the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.

“You should be ashamed,” yelled Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), interrupting Trump as he criticized Democratic-led cities that have withheld support from federal immigration officers. “You have killed Americans,” Omar also shouted.

“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Trump responded.

The president also took aim at some in the Somali community who have been at the center of massive welfare fraud in that state. “The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception,” Trump said.

Concern over the welfare fraud late last year led Trump to order a surge of immigration officials to the state. That surge became deadly this year, with immigration officials killing Renee Good and later Alex Pretti. Trump subsequently pulled back some federal officials.