By Paul Joseph
President Donald Trump has said United States Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib should be sent “back from where they came from” after the two Democratic members of Congress shouted in protest during his State of the Union address.
Trump’s comments came after his address on Tuesday. Tlaib, a Palestinian American, and Omar, a Somali American, criticised the president as he extolled his administration’s immigration crackdown and enforcement actions.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the two Muslim lawmakers as “crooked and corrupt politicians” who should be removed from the United States.
“When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalised,” Trump wrote.
“When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came – as fast as possible,” he added. “They can only damage the United States of America, they can do nothing to help it.”
Omar and Tlaib were among a small group of Democratic lawmakers who protested during Trump’s nearly two-hour speech.
As Trump told legislators that the US should end “sanctuary cities” jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal authorities such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Omar and Tlaib shouted: “You have killed Americans!”
Omar later defended her remarks on social media, writing: “I said what I said. I had to remind Trump that his administration was responsible for killing two of my constituents.”
Omar represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis, where Trump launched a sweeping immigration crackdown last year. In January, two US citizens were killed by federal officers in Minnesota while protesting immigration raids carried out by ICE and customs agents.
Omar, a member of Minnesota’s Somali American community, has previously been targeted by Trump, who has said she and others should “go back where they came from.”
Tlaib, the first woman of Palestinian descent elected to the US Congress, also responded on social media. “Can’t take two Muslims talking back and correcting him so now he is crashing out. #President Majnun,” she wrote.
“Majnoon” is an Arabic term that can mean possessed, mad or fanatical.
Trump’s post singled out Omar and Tlaib but did not mention Democratic Representative Sarah McBride, who NBC reported also shouted in protest during the address.
He also did not reference Democratic Representative Al Green, who was removed from the House chamber after holding a sign reading “Black people aren’t apes,” referencing a racist video of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama that had been shared on social media.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in tensions between the president and progressive Democratic lawmakers over immigration policy and civil rights.
Leave a Reply