Rep. Ilhan Omar Sprayed at Town Hall, Man Arrested/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance by a man during a Minneapolis town hall amid heightened political tensions. The suspect, arrested on site, used a syringe to release a vinegarlike liquid; Omar was not injured and continued speaking. The incident comes amid growing threats against lawmakers and increased scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement actions.
Ilhan Omar Attacked at Town Hall — Quick Looks
- Town Hall Incident: A man sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar with an unknown liquid using a syringe during a town hall in Minneapolis.
- Omar Unharmed: Omar said she was shaken but uninjured and continued speaking after the incident.
- Suspect Identified: Minneapolis police arrested 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak at the scene for third-degree assault.
- Political Backdrop: Omar had just called for abolishing ICE and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation.
- Substance Details: The liquid had a strong vinegarlike odor; its composition is still under investigation.
- Officials React: Leaders across political lines condemned the attack and called for accountability.
- Rising Threats: The attack comes amid a national spike in violence and threats against lawmakers.
Deep Look: Rep. Ilhan Omar Sprayed at Town Hall, Man Arrested
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man was arrested Tuesday evening after spraying an unknown liquid substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall event in Minneapolis, in a disturbing escalation of political tensions tied to recent immigration enforcement controversies in the city.
The suspect, identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, used a syringe-like device to spray a vinegarlike liquid at the congresswoman as she stood on stage addressing a crowd of approximately 100 constituents. Video footage captured audience members reacting in shock as the man was swiftly tackled and restrained by attendees and law enforcement officers.
Moments before the incident, Rep. Omar had called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resign or face impeachment. Her remarks came in response to two controversial immigration raids that left a nurse and a mother of three dead in Minneapolis in recent weeks.
“ICE cannot be reformed,” Omar declared — just seconds before the man approached and sprayed her.
Omar Shaken but Defiant
Despite the assault, Omar continued speaking for another 25 minutes. She later told reporters she was rattled but not physically harmed and would be checked by a medical team out of caution.
“I’m ok. I’m a survivor,” she posted on X. “This small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.”
An Associated Press reporter present at the event described the substance as emitting a sharp vinegarlike odor. A photo of the syringe that was knocked from the attacker’s hand showed it contained a light-brown liquid, though no injuries or physical reactions were reported among the crowd. Forensic experts are analyzing the contents.
Minneapolis police spokesperson Trevor Folke confirmed that Kazmierczak was arrested for third-degree assault and booked into the county jail. There was no immediate word on whether he had legal representation.
Minneapolis Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw and state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, who were also present, said the substance made contact with them as well, describing the incident as deeply disturbing.
National Reaction and Political Fallout
The White House did not issue a comment on Tuesday night. However, elected officials from both parties condemned the attack, reflecting growing bipartisan concern over political violence.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz thanked police and expressed relief that Omar was unharmed. “Our state has been shattered by political violence in the last year,” he wrote on X. “The cruel, inflammatory, dehumanizing rhetoric by our nation’s leaders needs to stop immediately.”
Even Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, a frequent critic of Omar, denounced the incident. “No elected official should face physical attacks,” she said. “This is not who we are.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed those sentiments, calling the attack “unacceptable” and reaffirming the city’s zero-tolerance stance on political violence.
The event occurred against the backdrop of a broader immigration enforcement crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump, which has sparked protests and outrage in Minneapolis. The city has been reeling after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti last weekend, just weeks after the death of Renee Good, a mother of three, during another ICE-related operation.
Trump’s Recent Remarks
Earlier on the same day, President Trump had criticized Rep. Omar while speaking at a campaign event in Iowa, drawing cheers as he disparaged her loyalty to the United States.
“They have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar,” he said, adding that she “comes from a country that’s a disaster,” in reference to her native Somalia. Omar fled Somalia with her family at age 8 due to civil war and is a U.S. citizen.
During a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump referred to Omar as “garbage,” further inflaming tensions in the region. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area is home to approximately 84,000 Somali Americans, making it the largest Somali population in the U.S.
Rise in Threats Against Lawmakers
The incident adds to a disturbing pattern of violence and threats targeting members of Congress. Just days prior, Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, was reportedly punched in the face during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah by a man referencing Trump and deportation.
According to new data released by U.S. Capitol Police, lawmakers faced 14,938 threatening communications or behaviors in 2025, a sharp increase from 9,474 in 2024. This marks the third consecutive year of rising threat levels.
Capitol Police said in a statement that the agency is working with federal partners to ensure the man who attacked Omar faces the most serious charges possible. Since the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, security for members of Congress has been expanded, including the development of a specialized threat assessment center to process reports.
Officials have noted that some lawmakers have already chosen not to seek re-election due to the ongoing threat environment, and assaults like the one on Omar may further discourage public engagement.
Closing Thoughts
As investigations continue into the substance sprayed at Rep. Omar and the suspect’s motivations, the attack underscores the volatile mix of political rhetoric, immigration policy, and violence shaping America’s public discourse in 2026. Omar’s defiant continuation of her speech, despite the assault, highlights the resilience — and risk — of public service in today’s polarized climate.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.