WASHINGTON — A Minnesota woman attending Tuesday’s State of the Union address as a guest of Representative Ilhan Omar required hospital treatment following her arrest during President Trump’s speech, according to statements from both the guest and the congresswoman.
Aliyah Rahman, a disabled Minneapolis resident, was removed from the House chamber after she stood silently during the portion of the president’s address in which he called on Democrats to restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security. While others in the gallery remained seated, Rahman maintained her standing position.
When United States Capitol Police approached Rahman and instructed her to sit down, she refused to comply. As officers began escorting her from the chamber, Rahman, who was using a crutch, attempted to explain that the crowd around her had just given a standing ovation, suggesting her own standing should not warrant removal. Another guest in the gallery protested what they characterized as aggressive handling by the officers.
The incident escalated when officers physically removed Rahman from the premises. According to Rahman’s account, two other attendees attempted to intervene as officers pulled on her shoulders, despite her informing them of pre-existing injuries including a torn rotator cuff tendon and multiple cartilage tears in both shoulders.
Rahman remained in Capitol Police custody and subsequently received medical treatment at George Washington University Hospital until nearly four o’clock Wednesday morning. She was later processed at Capitol Police headquarters.
In a subsequent interview, Rahman stated that the House sergeant-at-arms informed her the arrest was based solely on her standing. She emphasized that she had not worn any buttons, made facial expressions, gestures, or held signs, nor had she made any sound. Rahman noted that numerous attendees stood throughout the evening’s proceedings.
The Capitol Police defended their actions in an official statement, citing that Rahman was charged with unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress. The department noted that all State of the Union tickets explicitly state that demonstrating is prohibited within the chamber.
“The guest was told to sit down, but refused to obey our lawful orders,” the Capitol Police statement read. “It is illegal to disrupt the Congress and demonstrate in the Congressional Buildings.”
According to Omar’s office, Rahman is a disabled individual with autism and a traumatic brain injury. Rahman stated that her shoulder injuries occurred last month when federal agents in Minneapolis removed her from her vehicle as she attempted to drive to a medical appointment on a street where an anti-immigration protest was taking place.
Representative Omar issued a strong statement Wednesday condemning the arrest and demanding accountability. The congresswoman called for a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances leading to Rahman’s removal and arrest.
“The heavy-handed response to a peaceful guest sends a chilling message about the state of our democracy,” Omar stated.
The incident raises questions about the enforcement of decorum rules during joint sessions of Congress and the treatment of disabled individuals by law enforcement. The matter occurs against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Washington and follows the president’s call for increased immigration enforcement funding in his address.
The Capitol Police have not released additional details regarding the specific circumstances that led officers to determine Rahman’s conduct constituted a demonstration rather than standard audience participation.
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