Democrat Ilhan Omar 'attacked with unknown substance' using syringe after denouncing ICE in Minnesota
The man shouted for the Congresswoman to resign before spraying her with the 'strong-smelling' substance.
Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has been attacked by a man who 'sprayed her with an unknown liquid' from a syringe after denouncing ICE during a town hall event in Minnesota.
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Ms Omar, who has been a frequent target of Donald Trump's attacks, was sprayed with the 'strong-smelling liquid' during the town hall event, before witnesses tackled the individual to the ground amid a chorus of cheers.
The town hall event at the Urban League Twin Cities facility was set up to discuss the crisis engulfing Ms Omar's home state of Minnesota in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement officers (ICE).
Minneapolis police have since identified the man as Anthony J Kazmierczak, 55.
Moments before the attack, Ms Omar said: "DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment" before calling out aggressive tactics used by ICE.
The man was heard to shout that Ms Omar should resign before spraying the substance.
Read More: Trump vows to 'de-escalate' after fatal ICE shootings in Minnesota spark national outrage
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Man tackled to ground after spraying unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at town hall in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/WVfWmslwIS
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 28, 2026
Visibly shaken following the incident, Ms Omar told reporters: “I’ve survived war, and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me, because I’m built that way.”
Initial reports suggest that the man accused of spraying Ms Omar does not appear to have ever faced charges for violent conduct in Minnesota, instead holding two convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
According to The New York Times, court filings from a 2017 divorce case involving Mr Kazmierczak suggest that he was unemployed and receiving disability insurance payments.
The US Capitol Police said in a statement that the attack on the Congresswoman was “unacceptable” and would be met with “swift justice.”
The agency, one of a number to investigate and protect against threats to lawmakers, thanked security officials on the scene.
“We are now working with our federal partners to see this man faces the most serious charges possible to deter this kind of violence in our society,” the agency said.
She then bravely faced off with the angry man who had launched the attack while Ms Omar was calling for Mr Trump's Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem to resign over the shootings.
The man claimed Ms Omar was "tearing Minnesota apart" before he was removed by security guards.
As he was dragged away, Ms Omar could be heard calling him a "F***ing a*****e".
After a supporter told Ms Omar she should "get checked" over potential effects of what was launched at her, she said: "We will continue. These f**king a**holes are not going to get away with it.'"
Afterwards, Ms Omar, who was born in war-torn Somalia, briefly spoke about the attack with reporters
"I have survived war and I'm definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think they can throw at me because I'm built that way," she said.