Police Arrest of Guest at State of the Union Raises Questions

A woman from Minneapolis named Aliyah Rahman, who had been invited by Representative Ilhan Omar to attend the President’s State of the Union address, was taken into custody after she stood up during a speech by former President Donald Trump. Rahman had been using a crutch to walk and claimed she had medical problems, including a torn rotator cuff and cartilage damage in both shoulders. She said that when Capitol Police asked her to sit, she declined, arguing that the crowd’s applause was a reason for her not to leave. The police proceeded to escort her out of the gallery, an action that another guest criticized as too forceful. Rahman later spent several hours in a hospital before being released to Capitol Police headquarters.The police stated that her arrest was for unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress, noting that State of the Union tickets prohibit demonstrations. Representative Omar responded angrily, demanding a full explanation for the arrest and warning that such treatment could chill democratic participation. She described Rahman as a disabled person with autism and a traumatic brain injury, citing her medical conditions. Omar also highlighted the broader context of Minneapolis being a focal point for immigration enforcement under former President Trump’s administration. The incident raises concerns about how medical and disability issues are handled during high‑profile events, as well as the limits of protest within official venues. It also highlights how quickly a quiet act—standing up—can be interpreted as disruptive, prompting debate over the balance between order and freedom of expression.