At a tumultuous town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, Representative Ilhan Omar was the target of a physical assault when a man sprayed her with an unidentified substance. This occurred amidst escalating tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement, which had recently resulted in the fatal shootings of an intensive care nurse and a mother of three by federal agents.
The crowd, numbering around 100 people, reacted with alarm but quickly subdued the attacker, restraining him on the ground and binding his arms behind his back. Video footage from the event captures members of the audience expressing shock, including an individual who exclaimed, “Oh my god, he sprayed something on her.” Just prior to the incident, Omar had been vocally advocating for the abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and demanding the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose leadership has come under increased scrutiny following the recent deaths linked to immigration actions.
“ICE cannot be reformed,” Omar declared moments before the attack. Minneapolis police reported that officers observed the man using a syringe-like device to spray an unknown liquid toward Omar, prompting his immediate arrest and subsequent booking on third-degree assault charges. Forensic experts responded to investigate the substance involved.
The assailant was identified as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak. It remains unclear whether Kazmierczak has legal representation. Minneapolis city officials, including Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw and State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, also came into contact with some of the substance, describing the event as deeply disturbing. Nonetheless, there were no immediate reports of physical reactions among those present at the town hall.
Following the disruption, Omar resumed her remarks for approximately 25 minutes, emphasizing her resolve not to be intimidated by the attack. Observers noted a strong vinegar-like odor emanating from the substance, which appeared as a light-brown liquid within the syringe apparatus that was dropped during the scuffle. Authorities have yet to disclose the nature of the liquid used.
Upon exiting the venue, Omar indicated she felt slightly shaken but unharmed and was scheduled for medical evaluation. She later posted on social media, affirming her status as a survivor and rejecting intimidation by what she referred to as a “small agitator.” The incident drew no immediate comment from the White House. However, it occurred amid heightened verbal attacks on Omar by political figures such as former President Donald Trump, who recently criticized her publicly, including derogatory remarks about her background and allegiance.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area hosts one of the largest Somali-American communities in the United States, with approximately 84,000 residents of Somali descent. This demographic context bears significance as Omar herself is a Somali-born U.S. citizen who fled to the United States during the civil war at age eight.
Prominent figures quickly condemned the assault. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed relief at Omar's safety and underscored the growing problem of political violence fueled by inflammatory rhetoric from national leaders. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, also denounced the attack, emphasizing that no public official should face physical threats regardless of political disagreements. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey labeled the event unacceptable and pledged zero tolerance for such conduct.
This violent episode takes place in the wake of a spate of contentious federal immigration enforcement efforts, including recent police-involved shootings of two Minneapolis residents while targeting deportation protestors. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of these tragedies, which have intensified public debate and protests over immigration policies.
Security concerns for members of Congress have intensified in recent years, with increasing numbers of threats and assaults. Just days before the Minneapolis incident, an altercation occurred where a man in Utah assaulted Representative Maxwell Frost. The U.S. Capitol Police reported a substantial rise in threatening behaviors directed at lawmakers, with nearly 15,000 concerning incidents recorded in 2025, marking a continued increase from previous years. Enhanced protective measures have been implemented to safeguard legislators and their staff during public engagements.
The U.S. Capitol Police confirmed collaborative efforts with federal partners to pursue the most serious charges against Kazmierczak and to discourage further violent acts in the political arena.