One of the invited guests of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar was arrested Tuesday night after demonstrating during President Donald Trumpās State of the Union address, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.
Aliya M. Rahman, 43, of Minneapolis, was taken into custody after standing in the House gallery and refusing repeated instructions from law enforcement to sit down during the address. Capitol Police said the incident occurred at approximately 10:07 p.m. while the president was speaking.
In a statement, the department emphasized that all attendees are informed of strict rules governing conduct inside the chamber. āAll State of the Union tickets clearly explain that demonstrating is prohibited,ā Capitol Police said. Officers reported that Rahman began demonstrating from the gallery and declined to comply with lawful orders to stop.
Authorities stated that disrupting congressional proceedings or demonstrating within congressional buildings is prohibited under federal and local regulations. As a result, Rahman was arrested and charged under D.C. Code Ā§10-503.16, which covers unlawful conduct and the disruption of Congress.
Police confirmed that Rahman was later released with a citation, a procedure officials described as routine for certain misdemeanor offenses.
Rahman attended the State of the Union as one of four guests invited by Rep. Omar, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administrationās immigration enforcement policies. Omar previously highlighted Rahman as an individual seeking accountability and greater transparency regarding the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Rahman gained national attention earlier this year following an encounter with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. According to federal authorities, the incident occurred when Rahman allegedly failed to comply with repeated orders to move her vehicle away from an active enforcement scene. Officials said she was detained after refusing instructions and engaging in conduct that interfered with federal agents carrying out their duties.
The earlier incident drew significant public attention and debate surrounding immigration enforcement practices and the conduct of federal agents. Rahmanās arrest at the State of the Union adds another chapter to the controversy, as questions about protest rules, security protocols, and political expression in congressional settings continue to generate discussion.
