Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday night when a man rushed at her and sprayed her with an unknown liquid. The Minnesota Democrat was calling for the abolishment of ICE and the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when the assailant, who had been sitting in the front row, lunged toward her on stage.
Minneapolis police identified the suspect as Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, who was arrested on charges of third-degree assault. Officers observed the man use a syringe to spray an unknown liquid onto Omar, and he was booked into Hennepin County Jail. The FBI has since taken over the investigation into the attack, elevating concerns about potential threats against elected officials.
The unidentified liquid was described as strong-smelling and also struck two other lawmakers present at the event: Minneapolis City Council member LaTrisha Vetaw and State Senator Bobby Joe Champion. Despite the attack, Omar was uninjured and insisted on continuing with the town hall meeting, demonstrating her determination not to be intimidated.
Omar released a statement on social media following the incident, declaring that she will not let bullies win. She wrote that she is a survivor and that this small agitator is not going to intimidate her from doing her work. The congresswoman expressed gratitude to her constituents who rallied behind her, adding the phrase Minnesota strong to emphasize community resilience.
The attack has drawn bipartisan condemnation from across the political spectrum. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that Americans can disagree without putting people at risk. Even Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who frequently disagrees with Omar on policy matters, condemned the assault, writing that she is deeply disturbed to learn of the attack and that no elected official should face physical violence regardless of political differences.
This incident comes amid a troubling rise in threats against lawmakers nationwide. US Capitol Police reported nearly 15,000 potential threats against lawmakers, their family members, or the Capitol itself in 2025, representing a 57 percent increase over the previous year. The attack on Omar occurred during heightened tensions in Minneapolis following recent fatal shootings of US citizens by federal immigration agents.
The town hall meeting was focused on immigration enforcement issues that have gripped Minneapolis in recent weeks. Omar had been speaking about the need for accountability in federal law enforcement when the attack occurred. Local authorities continue to investigate alongside the FBI, and additional security measures are being considered for future public events involving elected officials.
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