Trump lashes out at Ilhan Omar as she heckles during SOTU speech: ‘You should be ashamed’

The confrontation began when Trump asked lawmakers to signal support for prioritizing the protection of US citizens over undocumented immigrants
During his State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump clashed with Representative Ilhan Omar after she interrupted his speech to accuse him of harming American citizens (Getty Images)
During his State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump clashed with Representative Ilhan Omar after she interrupted his speech to accuse him of harming American citizens (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump, during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, clashed with Representative Ilhan Omar, telling her, “You should be ashamed,” after she interrupted his speech to accuse him of harming American citizens. 

The conflict erupted when Trump questioned why some Democrats refused to stand for his stance on prioritizing the protection of US citizens over undocumented immigrants.



Trump hits back at Ilhan Omar’s interruption

The argument started when President Trump asked lawmakers to stand to show support for the idea that the government’s first duty is to protect American citizens rather than illegal immigrants, calling it a “fundamental principle.”

When Representative Ilhan Omar and many other Democrats stayed in their seats, the President remarked, “Isn’t that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourselves, not standing up.” 

Omar responded by shouting, “You have k****d Americans.” In the ensuing back-and-forth, Trump fired back, “You should be ashamed,” and Omar repeated, “You should be ashamed.”

Donald Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC (Getty Images)
Donald Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Trump also urged Congress to end sanctuary policies

As he moved forward with his address, Trump also called on Congress to end sanctuary city policies and penalize officials who block the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. 

He argued that these policies were keeping dangerous people in the country. 

He described the situation by saying, “In many cases, d**g lords, murderers all over our country. “They’re blocking the removal of these people out of our country, and you should be ashamed of yourself,” he added.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) (R) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MI) shout during U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Rep Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) (R) and Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MI) shout during US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the US Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib walk out after interrupting Trump's address

About an hour and 45 minutes into the address, Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib left the House chamber, missing the President’s presentation of Congressional Medal of Honor awards. 

Aside from the exchange with Omar, Representative Tlaib also disrupted the speech by wearing an “F**K ICE” pin and shouting, “release the Epstein files,” while Trump was speaking about his agenda.

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