A guest of Representative Ilhan Omar found herself at the center of a dramatic incident during the State of the Union address, claiming a forceful removal from the House chamber led to hospitalization and arrest. Aliya Rahman’s experience quickly ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising questions about the boundaries of protest and the treatment of visitors within the halls of Congress.
According to Representative Omar, Rahman was “aggressively handled” by authorities after standing silently during President Trump’s speech. Despite informing officers about pre-existing shoulder injuries, Rahman was forcibly removed and later booked at the United States Capitol Police headquarters, requiring medical attention at George Washington University Hospital.
Rahman herself described the incident as a response to simply “standing up silently—no buttons, no facial expressions, no gestures, no signs, not one sound.” Her account suggests a stark contrast to the official narrative, painting a picture of a peaceful act met with unexpected and escalating force.
The timing of the arrest coincided with a particularly charged moment in the President’s address, as he spoke critically about undocumented immigrants. This prompted vocal objections from Omar and Representative Rashida Tlaib, who chose to leave the chamber in protest, further amplifying the tension surrounding Rahman’s removal.
This incident isn’t Rahman’s first encounter with federal authorities. Reports indicate she was previously involved in a confrontation with immigration agents in Minnesota, allegedly being forcibly removed from her vehicle while on her way to a medical appointment. The details of that event remain contested, but add another layer to her story.
President Trump responded to the situation by launching a scathing attack on both Omar and Tlaib, suggesting they should be “sent back from where they came.” His statement, delivered on his social media platform, was filled with inflammatory language and personal insults, escalating the political conflict.
However, differing accounts and video footage have emerged, challenging the initial narrative. Some sources claim Rahman had opportunities to leave voluntarily but remained and interfered with the proceedings, leading to her arrest. These conflicting perspectives highlight the complexity of the situation and the difficulty in establishing a definitive truth.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the limits of free expression within the context of a high-profile political event. Representative Omar has called for a full explanation of the arrest, arguing that the heavy-handed response sends a “chilling message about the state of our democracy.”
