Tlaib (D-Mich.) sat in the House chamber wearing a “F— ICE” pin on her lapel and frequently heckled Trump throughout the speech alongside Omar (D-Minn.) before the two left early.
The two had spent much of Trump’s speech on their cellphones.
The biggest clash of the night between Trump and the two “Squad” reps came when the president put Democrats on the spot by calling on lawmakers to stand up if they agreed that “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib wears an anti-ICE button.
Republicans stood up and cheered, while Democrats remained seated.
“You have killed Americans,” Omar fumed at Trump after a little back and forth.
“Isn’t that a shame?” Trump hit back in amusement. “You should be ashamed of yourself — not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
The Michigan congresswoman was spotted smirking as the anti-ICE pin was in clear sight of the cameras. APOmar and Tlaib are the first female Muslim lawmakers elected to Congress in US history.
The two declined to join the dozens of their Democratic peers who boycotted the marquee address.
“I think it was really unavoidable,” Omar later told CNN’s “The Situation Room” about her decision to attend. “The president talked about protecting Americans, and I just had to remind him that his administration was responsible for killing two of my constituents.”
She was referring to Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year during protests of ICE deportations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson later reflected that there were more Democrats whom he “probably could have ejected from the chamber because of their behavior,” but noted that he wanted the country to see their conduct.
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House chamber by the sergeant at arms after waving around a sign that read, “Black People Aren’t Apes,” which referenced a clip Trump posted on Truth Social earlier this month.
Here’s the latest on the 2026 State of the Union
- From USA hockey team to 100-year-old veteran, Trump highlights American heroism in State of the Union 2026 address
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib sparks outrage with ‘F–k ICE’ pin at Trump’s State of the Union 2026 address
- Trump touts lower drug prices, reveals TrumpRx’s first customer, during State of the Union address
- Trump claims Iran working on missiles that can reach US as part of ‘sinister ambitions’
Tlaib, who was seated next to her far-left “Squad” colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), repeatedly shouted at Trump during his speech. APTrump has frequently lashed out at the “Squad,” including Omar in particular, with the two chaffing over his Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, which has since been wound down.
“They can only damage the United States of America, they can do nothing to help it,” Trump added on Truth Social. “They should actually get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro, another sick and demented person with, I believe, an extremely Low IQ,”
