Mullin Labels Omar’s State of the Union Invite to ICE Detainee as “A Joke”

Senate candidate Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday sharply criticized Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar over her planned invitation of Aliya Rahman—detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 13—to the State of the Union address, calling her defense of individuals lawfully detained during ICE operations “a joke” and “laughable.”

Mullin stated that Omar’s actions were “absolutely absurd,” adding she “shouldn’t be in Congress.” He also said, “I hope she didn’t spend our taxpayer dollars that they embezzled from us to pay for her trip down here.”

Omar’s office confirmed Monday that she would bring Rahman and three other Minnesotans to Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

Mullin further argued that Omar’s political stance does not reflect national values, stating: “It’s sad that they got a congressman elected like that,” and adding, “she doesn’t represent what’s great in America.”

According to Department of Homeland Security statements, during Rahman’s arrest on January 13, a crowd impeded officers. One agitator ignored multiple commands from an officer to move her vehicle away from the scene and was arrested for obstruction; another agitator assaulted an officer by jumping on his back. Six individuals were taken into custody.