The fireworks inside the House chamber during President Donald Trump’s February 24, 2026 State of the Union address reached a boiling point when members of the progressive “Squad” attempted to shout him down — only to be overwhelmed by a thunderous chant of “U-S-A.”
Reps. Ilhan Omar(D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) erupted from their seats as the president pivoted to immigration enforcement and fraud investigations in Minnesota. Trump sharply criticized what he described as widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded programs in the state, arguing that lax border policies had allowed corruption and lawlessness to take root.
The two congresswomen shouted “liar” and accused the president of having “blood on his hands,” referencing the recent fatal shooting of two anti-ICE activists who allegedly interfered with federal officers during enforcement operations. The confrontation briefly threatened to derail the address.
It didn’t.
Within moments, Republican lawmakers stood in unison, chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” — drowning out the protest and shifting the mood of the chamber from chaos to defiance. The patriotic display quickly went viral online, with supporters praising the GOP for refusing to let the speech descend into disorder.
“When it comes to corruption plundering America, there has been no more stunning example than Minnesota,” Trump declared, pointing to major fraud investigations that have made national headlines. He warned that importing cultures plagued by bribery and systemic corruption — in his words — risks importing those problems into the United States.
Cameras captured Omar appearing visibly emotional as the president continued outlining his administration’s immigration crackdown and anti-fraud efforts. Both she and Tlaib continued shouting from their seats before eventually being overshadowed by the Republican majority’s chants.
Trump, never shy about confrontation, responded directly, calling the outburst “a disgrace” and telling the lawmakers they “should be ashamed.”
The disruptions weren’t limited to that moment. Earlier in the evening, Rep. Al Green(D-TX) was escorted from the chamber after holding up a protest sign as the president walked toward the podium. The sign referenced a social media post involving an AI-generated parody styled after The Lion King, which had stirred controversy days earlier.
Republican Sens. Markwayne Mullin(R-OK) and Roger Marshall(R-KS) physically blocked the sign from view before House officials removed Green from the floor.
Despite the interruptions, Trump pressed ahead, focusing much of his speech on domestic policy achievements. He touted lower energy costs, pledges to protect ratepayers from AI-driven electricity demand spikes, and what he described as renewed American strength on the global stage.
For Republicans, the contrast was unmistakable: a president outlining policy goals and honoring American workers and law enforcement — and progressive lawmakers attempting to shout him down.
If the goal of the heckling was to rattle the president, it appeared to have the opposite effect. By the end of the night, it wasn’t the protests that dominated headlines — it was the resounding chant echoing through the chamber.
“U-S-A.”
