Rahman was invited by Omar after a prior altercation with federal agents in Minnesota during “Operation Metro Surge” in January.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Rep. Ilhan Omar said Wednesday that a guest she invited to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address was removed from the House gallery and arrested by U.S. Capitol Police after briefly standing during the speech.
Omar said her guest, software engineer Aliya Rahman, was charged with “Unlawful Conduct” following the incident Tuesday night and faces up to six months in prison and a $500 fine.
Omar said Rahman stood silently for a short time during the address and was escorted out of the chamber.
“My guest, Aliya Rahman, stood up silently in the gallery during the president’s speech for a short period of time, part of which other guests were also standing. For that, she was forcibly removed, despite warning officers about her injured shoulders and ultimately charged with ‘Unlawful Conduct,’” Omar said in a statement.
Omar continued: “Reports indicate she was aggressively handled until someone intervened to secure medical attention. She was taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment and later booked at the United States Capitol Police headquarters.”
“The heavy-handed response to a peaceful guest sends a chilling message about the state of our democracy. I am calling for a full explanation of why this arrest occurred,” she added.
Fox News reported that Rahman was invited by Omar after a prior altercation with federal agents in Minnesota during “Operation Metro Surge” in January.
The operation involved the Department of Homeland Security and federal law enforcement activity in Minneapolis.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., yelled at President Donald Trump during the State of the Union address, shouting that he was a “liar” and a “murderer” after the president referenced alleged Somali-linked fraud in Minnesota.
Omar sat beside Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who wore a pin with a profane message denouncing ICE, as both lawmakers visibly reacted to Trump’s remarks throughout the speech.