Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) drew sharp criticism after referring to the United States as the “U.S. goddamn States” during impassioned remarks at a Democratic field hearing in St. Paul on Friday. The comment came as she condemned federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under the Trump administration, comparing them to authoritarian practices she fled as a refugee from Somalia.

The hearing, titled “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Deadly Assault on Minnesota,” was co-hosted by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and Omar. It featured testimony from local officials, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, as well as community advocates and witnesses who described alleged overreach by ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge.

Omar’s remarks highlighted concerns over aggressive enforcement tactics, including reports of warrantless entries, use of force, and the detention of U.S. citizens. In her comments, she stated: “I don’t want to curse, but those of us who escaped places like that, the one place where we thought we would never experience this is the U.S. goddamn States.” She added that she was “ashamed” of the situation being broadcast globally, prompting questions about whether such actions truly reflect America.

The White House rapid response team amplified a clip of the statement on social media, calling it “beyond disrespectful” and “appalling, disgusting, and SICK.” Other critics, including GOP figures, echoed the sentiment, arguing that no member of Congress should use such language to describe the country.

Jayapal framed the hearing as part of ongoing oversight amid what she described as “intense trauma and terror” for Minnesotans due to ICE and Border Patrol actions. She emphasized that federal tactics are escalating tensions in a city with declining crime rates and called for accountability to halt the “lawlessness.”

Omar echoed this in her opening statement, describing the Twin Cities as “under attack” from the Trump administration with no modern precedent for such federal overreach and violence in the name of immigration enforcement. She expressed gratitude to the dozens of congressional colleagues who joined from across the country.

The event drew participation from Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), along with more than two dozen House Democrats. Witnesses included representatives from the ACLU of Minnesota, Unidos MN, CAIR-MN, and local law enforcement.

The controversy occurs against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement in Minnesota, including recent incidents involving ICE agents. Omar’s full remarks and the complete hearing can be viewed on the official livestream.

Sources: Official press releases from Reps. Omar and Jayapal, Fox News, The Gateway Pundit, Dallas Express, The Post Millennial, and related coverage.